Santorum’s
Visit Countered by ‘Equality Rally’ Protest
The U.S. Senator Speaks at a Clarion County Republican
Party Breakfast.
The
Derrick, May 28, 2003
Venango News, 1510 West First Street, Oil City, PA 16301
By Heather Leskanic
CLARION—U.S. Sen. Rick
Santorum’s political views were condemned at an “equality rally” Tuesday
in Clarion at the same time the lawmaker was described as fearless and
courageous by his Republican supporters.
Clarion Young Democrats organized the rally in response
to Santorum’s appearance at the Clarion County Republican Party’s third
annual “Eggs and Issues” fund-raising event.
The events were held in separate locations at the Holiday
Inn.
Rally attendees brought signs saying, “Kick Rick Out
... of our bedrooms” and “Bigot Go Home.”
Santorum has been the subject of much scrutiny in the
last few weeks after making derogatory remarks about homosexual behavior.
Several state troopers were seen standing guard at
locations in and around the building.
Kevan Yenerall, a professor at Clarion University and
adviser to the Young Democrats, said their goal was to celebrate diversity.
“We believe in equality, and that’s nothing to be
ashamed about,” he said.
State Sen. Allen Kukovich was the featured speaker at the
equality rally.
In an Associated Press interview, Santorum discussed his
views on homosexuality in the context of a pending Supreme Court case. He
likened gay behavior to bigamy, polygamy, incest and adultery in an April 7
interview.
He later said he intended the remarks as a legal analysis
and didn’t intend to comment on individual lifestyles.
About 100 individuals attended the Republican breakfast,
including U.S. Rep. John Peterson, state Sen. Mary Jo White and state Rep.
Fred McIlhattan.
Peterson introduced Santorum as the featured speaker and
said leadership is not easy.
“It is often lonely,” he said. “It’s tough
because you don’t go down the beaten trail.”
“You don’t do it with public opinion polls,” he
added.
Peterson said Santorum “is not a common guy; he’s
fearless, he’s got courage.”
Santorum received three standing ovations during the
breakfast meeting.
His remarks mainly centered on Medicare and recent action
by legislators to initiate a turnaround for the economy in the next few
months.
“We have some things in place to help areas in the
economy that are hurting,” he said.
He made brief reference to his current situation later in
the speech.
“It’s been a time when I’ve had a fair amount of
notoriety,” Santorum said, prompting a few titters from the crowd.
The senator thanked his supporters for their prayers and
good wishes.
“They have been very, very helpful,” he said.
After his Clarion appearance, Santorum helped break
ground for the creation of the Allegheny-Clarion Health and Community Center
in Foxburg. The senator handed over a $913,000 check for the facility.
The center is being developed through a partnership with
Clarion Hospital. It will serve Clarion, Venango, Butler and Armstrong
counties.
Over the past few weeks, Democrats and gay-rights groups
called for Santorum to quit his leadership post, and some moderate Republican
senators also have criticized his remarks.
But the White House and other Republicans, including
House Majority Leader Tom Delay and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, have
supported him.
About 100 St. Joseph’s University graduates got up and
walked out of commencement ceremonies May 18 in Philadelphia before Santorum
was introduced to receive an honorary degree and make a speech.
“We’re concerned about our civil liberties,”
Yenerall said Tuesday.
He said it’s “a very dangerous thing” if the
Senate’s third-ranking Republican does not believe there’s a right to
privacy.
“None of us have ever claimed moral superiority,”
said Howard J. Thomas of the Democratic State Committee. “That’s the
difference.”
About 50 people turned out for the equality rally.
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