San Francisco, Calif., Dec 6, 2010 / 16:10 pm
A panel of 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judges is hearing arguments from Proposition 8 supporters and opponents this week in a landmark case that will most likely reach the Supreme Court.
U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker had ruled on Aug. 4 that Prop. 8 – a traditional marriage initiative which passed in November 2008 with the support of seven million Californians – was unconstitutional and mandated that it be null and void on Aug. 18.
On Aug. 17, however, a panel from the Ninth Circuit issued an emergency stay of Judge Walker's ruling. The court granted a motion filed by the ProtectMarriage.com legal team.
As part of its order, the Ninth Circuit issued an expedited appeal schedule for the case. Oral arguments for the case started Dec. 6 and were broadcast on C-SPAN.