Gay people love to protest, but Georgia state lawmakers are pushing through a bill — SB 469 — that would limit the public's right to gather to protest as well as punish and penalize those that do so.

In essence, SB 469 is an anti-union bill that wants to make it, among other things, illegal for a bunch of people protest at, say, a CEO's house or a bank or another public building.

Saturday, March 17, 40 groups are gathering at the state Capitol from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to send a message that the right to protest is not something to be denied. Activists say the bill also targets all people interested in peaceful protests, including those seeking social justice. And, of course, that includes those seeking LGBT equality.

"We live in a time of unprecedented wealth disparity. All over the country, unemployment, foreclosures, homelessness, and a bevy of other social concerns have driven thousands into political engagement. We are seeing a totally new section of our population rising up against injustice in their communities and reclaiming power. Senate Bill 469 seeks to dismantle not just people power, but constitutional rights and human rights as well," states a press release from groups opposing the bill, including Southern Center for Human Rights and the gay-friendly Oakhurst Baptist Church.

"Throughout history there have been visionaries who are called to confront, nonviolently, powerful institutions of violence, oppression, and injustice. Such actions may engage us in creative tumult and tension in the process of basic change. We seek opportunities to help reconcile conflict and to facilitate a peaceful and just resolution of conflict. This approach to social change must not be criminalized," adds the press statement.