A Sea of Candles and the Sound of Silence
Late Friday night we gathered, several thousand paid and volunteer extras. We were there to recreate the impromptu candlelight vigil/march that took place just over 30 years ago this year following the murders of City Councilman Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Cameras rolled for the movie Milk as we marched in silence with our candles raised. It was a moving experience with many among us having participated in the original vigil.
Footage of the original vigil with recording of Harvey Milk’s last words
It took about five takes but it was well worth it and I’d gladly do it again as would my SO though we did it as unpaid volunteers. After the candlelight vigil scenes we did two more takes of a riot march scene similar to the ones we did Monday night but slightly edgier. “Whose Street? OUR STREET! Whose City? OUR CITY!” was the shouted refrain this time as we took the street by storm, pushing past the police officers who couldn’t possibly control the surging crowd.
Whether or not either of us appears in a single scene it has been a fulfilling experience and I’m glad we were able to help recreate this important piece of LGBT history for the silver screen. I’m anxiously awaiting the release of the film, which is expected to be in September or October.
There is still the work left unfinished in the wake of Milk’s death. As I’d mentioned previously it seems despite the passage of 30 years so little has been accomplished. Back then some Gay Rights legislation had been passed only to be met with a backlash by RRRW activists who enacted their own laws. History has been repeating itself with George W. Bush and his “Family Values” crowd. Every attempt we make to get LGBT rights legislation passed is met with equal opposition from them, and they work across the nation to put in place laws that will restrict our human rights in every way possible.
We must fight harder than ever before to ensure that Harvey Milk’s death was not in vain. To ensure that his vision for LGBT equality comes to pass. If it means taking to the streets over and over again we must do it. Bigotry and narrow-mindedness cannot–must not–be allowed to prevail.
Tags: "Milk" movie, Harvey Milk, San Francisco
