Prop. 8 backers ask to shield campaign donors
By LISA LEFF , 01.13.09, 10:46 AM EST
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/13/ap5913907.htmlThe sponsors of the November ballot measure that outlawed same-sex marriage in California want a judge to seal selected documents and issue a gag order in their lawsuit challenging the state's campaign finance reporting rules.
Lawyers for
ProtectMarriage.com and the National Organization for Marriage California requested an order late Friday designed to keep the names of the groups' supporters secret while the case moves forward. Last week, they sued to have their campaign finance records blocked from public view, saying the disclosure requirements have caused donors to become the target of boycotts, hate mail and threats.
"The very essence of this case is that plaintiffs cannot be forced to reveal their identities, or the identities of their donors, without violating their fundamental First Amendment rights," the group's lawyers wrote in seeking anonymity for certain parties in the litigation.
