Nine people, including Sean Bohac of San Diego Alliance For Marriage Equality, were arrested at the San Diego County Clerks office one year ago Friday.
It was shortly after a federal court ruled California's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional. Proposition 8 supporters appealed that ruling. Soon after, a "stay" was issued, meaning it was still illegal for same-sex couples to wed in California.
Bohac and others joined gay couples at the clerk's office hoping to get a marriage license. But when the clerk refused, they started protesting and were arrested.
"We were engaged in constitutionally-protected free speech. We were in public property, we had a right to be there and had a right to have a chance to make people aware we were angry about having our rights curtailed," Bohac said.
Nine people are facing two misdemeanors each and possible jail time. A court hearing today will determine if the charges will stand.
