MANY OF US ADVOCATES ALL OVER THE BAY AREA ARE HAPPY AND WISH ALICIA GARZA WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE MEMBER'S CHOICE FOR COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHAL - WE LOVE YOU AND WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE - TO RAISE THE BAR AND ADDRESS QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.

ALICIA GARZA COMMUNITY  PRIDE GRAND MARSHAL IN SAN FRANCISCO

Alicia Graza was placed on this Earth to be a leader - having the ability to discern - astute - and very articulate. She has shed light where there is abject darkness - and she has done it with - class.

Alicia Graza is a product of a perfect storm that we experience here in the Bay Area - with today's Supreme Court Ruling - on "same sex marriage" - she can fill in the blanks - and connect the dots - linked to so many issues - human issues that most pay no attention to.

Read more from another angle - wider and better - about how the world received today's one of a kind news:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=0

I know Alicia Graza will feel - validated - in preparing the way - and has every right to rejoice in this - one of kind Supreme Court ruling.

Things must evolve, things must change and will change - and this one ruling will have tremendous impacts - where things were done in the dark - where those filled with hatred - intimidated others - no more.

We have to be vigilant - and we have to be leery - taking too much for granted - especially - letting down our guard.

In a 5-4 ruling in favor - Justice Kennedy swing vote - making the difference. Not an easy decision - but one whose time has come.

Those of us who have been open to change - others who were closeted and now now have come out - still others who were the majority and had it good.

We all cannot wallow - in the biased past - that this Nation chose to - to cling to something that is not holistic - more to being prone to be - cancerous. 

This Supreme Court ruling - that will be debated for months and years - an adjudication - that is fair and just - but now in the eyes of those tied to the past - and stuck and surrounded by tunnel vision.

A decision that this Nation has embraced - changing its mind - as has been revealed in the many recent, polls - on "same sex" - marriage. More decent people looking forward to change - even as the human race - evolves and people of color - open doors to a rainbow of a kind - never, ever seen in history.

We, in the United States of America - are a Nation of laws. We must learn to live and share our talents - our morals, and more our common destiny - to help one another.

In the trenches - we advocates often worked hard with advocates such as Alicia Garza. Alicia has been an inspiration to many - me too.

It is not easy to push hard - to fight for what we all stand for - joining hands with all - to bring about change - all people - human beings - homo sapiens - standing for what is - right.

I came to know Alicia when she was with People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER) - and I am richer for that - experience.

The many trips we made to places for lunch at MOSHI's - the many talks and meetings we had at COFFEE HIDEOUTS, the community meetings linked to our fight in the Bayview - standing tall with the Senior, single mothers, infants, children, youth and young adults - we did it - it was not easy - and we prevailed.

Campaigning and organizing - validating signatures - working on Propositions - fighting against odds to put the Propositions on Ballots - all that work and more - Alicia Graza was on the front line with many of us - and we all respected her kills and capacity building. Today many of us are richer - for working with Alicia Graza.

Alicia is a Sister - one of a kind - with whom I could share - many things that I could not share with most.

When you are in the trenches - you may think your education, your experience, your ability to deliver is important - but what I feel strongly - is "compassion" is what truly matters - and when it comes to compassion - Alicia is second to none.

Now heading " #BlackLivesMatter " and before that the National Domestic Workers Alliance" and previous to that POWER - I have seen Alicia grow strong,determined, and have a kick ass attitude that matters.

Alicia Garza has won many awards before - among them the SF Bay Guardian Local Hero - that was when the Bay Guardian - was respected by most advocates.

Alicia also won award from the Center for Media Justice - the Jeanne Gauna Communicate Justice Award. Emphasis on Communicate.

Alicia makes her home in Oakland - she has her roots in Marine County - has made San Francisco her second home - and is well known - by most stellar advocates - as a force to be reckoned with.

Alicia is also an award winner from the Harvey Milk Democratic Club and two time winner of the Bayard Rustin Community Activist award.

Alicia as co-founder with Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi of #BlackLivesMatter - which today has grown into a National Organization - spot on - addresses the inherent discrimination, hate, and divisive - prevailing by those that are cowards - who will kill, defame, maim, harm and commit despicable acts - under the cover of darkness.

I was born in Nairobi,Kenya - the home of humankind.

My life that spanned over six decades - and I have seen a lot - today, this ruling on "same sex marriage" will change the way the world looks us in the United States.

In this contemporary world - change is difficult - we are a Nation of laws - and the Supreme Law has spoken. With Justice Kennedy being the swing vote.

Alicia is one of those that has seen rapid changes - an evolution of norms and fast changing norms- for the better.

Alicia Garza understands what is means to discern - and more has the ability to create a Blue Print - complete with time-lines and goals. While all the time staying cool and bring about consensus and progress.

I always have counted Alicia Graza as a good friend.

I wish her all the best.

You go girl - with your kick ass attitude - send me a "smoke signal" - if you look over your shoulder - and need a little help from a friend.

We are watching you - the sky is the limit - and as I said thousands support you Alicia Graza.

Shed light where there is abject darkness - and take us all to a better, place. Aho.

Here is the text of the Supreme Court ruling - very impressive:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf