Conflicting Prop 8 Events Planned

SAN DIEGO -- Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday to pray for the passage of Proposition 8, the ballot measure that seeks to ban same-sex marriage in California, it was reported Thursday.

Event organizer Lou Engle told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the event scheduled for Saturday, dubbed TheCall, will last from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will include fasting, in addition to prayer.

Engle said the event is not meant to make a political statement but prayers will go out to God "to influence the outcome of the election," the newspaper reported.

Opponents of Proposition 8 argue that the event is clearly political.

"Clearly the focus is on taking away this right," No on 8 spokeswoman Dale Kelly Bankhead told the Union-Tribune. "It seems political to us."

To counter TheCall event at Qualcomm, No on 8 has scheduled a "Making the Right Call" rally at St. Paul's Cathedral, an Episcopal church at 2726 Sixth Ave., next to Balboa Park.

"Making the Right Call" will also begin at 10 a.m. Saturday.

TheCall events have held in various large cities since 2000.

This is the first year one has been scheduled in San Diego.