A crowd of people gathered outside the Sacramento Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon to hear Cleve Jones speak on equality and civil rights.

Jones is an activist, lecturer, author and was mentored by Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. Jones is portrayed by Emile Hirsch in the film "Milk" with Sean Penn which is currently playing in Sacramento theaters.

Cleve Jones is currently leading a boycott of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, whose owner donated $125,000 to the Prop 8 campaign.
Some individuals who gathered for Jones's speech were holding signs, one read "More than a word" with the word "love" written in different languages. 

One particularly eye-catching sign read "Sleep With The Right People" which is the name of an alliance between UNITE HERE and the LGBT community. 

UNITE HERE is the union that represents hotel and restaurant workers in securing equal and fair treatment. According to their Web site, UNITE HERE represents over 450,000 workers and 400,000 retired employees in North America.

After a question and answer session, Jones concluded his demonstration outside the Convention Center with a powerful speech on civil rights:

"I don't refer to it as marriage equality anymore, I refer to it as equality. We want equality in all areas - civil marriage, military service, adoption, taxation, social security. The most important rights that accrue to heterosexual couples through marriage are determined by the federal government.

"If you think you're equal act like it. Don't settle for crumbs. No more bargaining. No more compromise. We're equal. Now's the time. We are equal! We are equal!"

Tina Reynolds, who is one of the founders of Equality Action Now - a group that formed the day after the election when Prop 8 did not pass, was an active part of the discussion with Cleve Jones.

Reynolds described the sentiment behind the rally:

"Equality Action Now isn't doing individual boycotts but we're really here to say not where you should spend your money but why would you want to spend money at a place that doesn't support your community? When they advertise to us and they take our money and then they sink $125,000 into a campaign against us, it seems like we should stop and really look at what it is and where we're spending our money."

Were you at the Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon? Did you drive by and see the signs? Have you seen the "Milk" movie? What are your thoughts?

Photographs taken by Catherine Foss

Sarah Payne also reported on this story.