"With the proposition, I don't see it doing anything to anyone's rights," said Felicia Kelly, a Salt Lake resident. "Their being here is mean."

Salt Lake City resident Chandelle Bates attended the protest with her husband and two young children to voice her opposition to Proposition 8, calling it "disgusting" the way it was "pushed through" by the LDS Church.

"It's important that so-called traditional families support everyone's rights," Bates said. "I try to think (how I would feel) if someone had restricted my marriage because I was Mormon and married in the temple." -->

Bates said she felt it was important to bring her two toddlers with her to the rally, "so even at their young age, they could understand what compassion is."

Salt Lake City police spokeswoman Lara Jones said the protest was peaceful.

"They've got their signs, slogans and opinions but they're exercising their First Amendment rights peacefully," Jones said.

Police appeared well-prepared for the rally and were able to keep traffic flowing and protesters from crossing onto the church's private property. Only one arrest was reported, and it was not one of the demonstrators. A motorist frustrated with traffic caused by the rally tried to make an illegal U-turn and nearly struck a police officer, Jones said.

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Contributing: Jens Dana

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com; cnorlen@desnews.com