About 10,000 people gathered Saturday along Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles to protest the passage Proposition 8, the ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage in California.
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Thousands rally for same-sex marriage in California

About 10,000 people gathered Saturday along Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles to protest the passage Proposition 8, the ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage in California.

About 10,000 people gathered Saturday along Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles to protest the passage Proposition 8, the ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage in California. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Chat R. Warner, of the Bible Believers Los Angeles Chapter, shouts at supporters of same-sex marriage during a counter-protest downtown.

Chat R. Warner, of the Bible Believers Los Angeles Chapter, shouts at supporters of same-sex marriage during a counter-protest downtown. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Police Department officials estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people showed up for the Proposition 8 protest Saturday -- a much smaller crowd than the 40,000 people police had expected.

Los Angeles Police Department officials estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people showed up for the Proposition 8 protest Saturday -- a much smaller crowd than the 40,000 people police had expected. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

LAPD officers stake out positions for their horses in anticipation of the rally.

LAPD officers stake out positions for their horses in anticipation of the rally. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Couple Mark Trigg, left, and Pierre Alexandre Kabalan show their support of same-sex marriage.

Couple Mark Trigg, left, and Pierre Alexandre Kabalan show their support of same-sex marriage. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the nonprofit group Cheer LA perform as Proposition 8 protesters march along Main Street in downtown Los Angeles. Supporters of same-sex marriage organized rallies across the country in what many say is the latest incarnation of the civil rights movement.

Members of the nonprofit group Cheer LA perform as Proposition 8 protesters march along Main Street in downtown Los Angeles. Supporters of same-sex marriage organized rallies across the country in what many say is the latest incarnation of the civil rights movement. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

About 200 upporters of same-sex marriage rallied Saturday at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

About 200 upporters of same-sex marriage rallied Saturday at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

A Proposition 8 opponent holds a sign comparing the gay marriage issue to racial segregation. Equal rights was a prominent mantra at Saturday's rallies.

A Proposition 8 opponent holds a sign comparing the gay marriage issue to racial segregation. Equal rights was a prominent mantra at Saturday’s rallies. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

Police officers escort Rueben Israel, of Bible Believers, to a neutral zone in front of City Hall. Despite the vigorous debate between supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, the rallies remained peaceful.

Police officers escort Rueben Israel, of Bible Believers, to a neutral zone in front of City Hall. Despite the vigorous debate between supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, the rallies remained peaceful. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Hank Donat holds a sign during a rally against the passage of Proposition 8 in San Francisco. In addition to the San Francisco, L.A. and Costa Mesa events, there was a protest in Sacramento that drew about 1,500 people to the Capitol.

Hank Donat holds a sign during a rally against the passage of Proposition 8 in San Francisco. In addition to the San Francisco, L.A. and Costa Mesa events, there was a protest in Sacramento that drew about 1,500 people to the Capitol. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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