"Freshmen are a major problem [for] our class," said student Rachel Thorman, "and I don't want to have to teach our children non-traditional sidewalk values."

The satirical effort, dubbed the "Princeton Sidewalk Protection Act" or "Princeton Proposition 8," mocks California's embattled constitutional gay marriage ban, narrowly approved by voters this month to undo the May 15th ruling by the state's Supreme Court affirming equal marriage rights for all couples.

"Only sidewalk use by sophomores, juniors, and seniors is valid or recognized in Princeton," the Act reads. Freshmen, said movement founder and Princeton student Chris Simpson, have the same status in the eyes of PP8 as same-sex couples currently do in California. The aim of the movement, Simpson told The Daily Princetonian, is to bring debate about Proposition 8, already facing high court challenges and nationwide protest, to Princeton. The group won't be specifically mentioning sexual orientation, nor will they be targeting any particular religion or organization. The PP8 movement is independent; it has no affiliation with any other campus group.

"The overall effort stems from a frustration with the lack of political engagement and discussion on campus," Simpson continued, "and in particular the absence of any outrage over the seemingly immoral/illegal/unconstitutional way in which gay marriage was banned in California."

"We are rather perturbed that the state has allowed the majority to rescind the rights of a minority group," he added, "the very sort of thing a constitutional democracy is designed to prevent."

"The Princeton Proposition 8 campaign aims to secure the definition of Princeton University sidewalks as a means of pedestrian transit for sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, staff, and other members of the university community, but supports the elimination of the right of freshmen to walk on sidewalks," a Monday press release reads. The coalition are "very excited that California's Proposition 8 has set a clear precedent for a majority to eliminate a minority group's civil rights, and they see it as a perfect opportunity to utilize this development for their own gain."

An accompanying petition, thus far, has been signed by about 500 people, including University President Shirley Tilghman. Demonstrations will continue Monday and Tuesday from 9:30am to 5:00pm.

Video of the Thursday demonstration, courtesy of The Daily Princetonian, appears below.