UPDATE: Opponents to Same-Sex Marriage Gather at Arundel Mills Boulevard

UPDATE 3/9/11: The men from last Wednesday's same-sex marriage protest on Arundel Mills Boulevard filed a formal incident report claiming that an unidentified man verbally and physically assaulted them towards the end of their demonstration, according to Anne Arundel County Police. 

"The victim reported that he was peacefully demonstrating when a suspect pulled up in a vehicle, began arguing with him and subsequently pushed him," said Anne Arundel County Police Spokesman Justin Mulcahy in an email. 

Mulcahy said an officer from the Western Discrict is still conducting an investigation and will contact the victim in the event the suspect is identified.

"At that point, the victim has the option to press charges through the district court," said Mulcahy in the email. 

More information to come as it is made available. 

3/2/11: A national hot topic hit close to home for Severn and Hanover residents Wednesday afternoon as opponents to same-sex marriage picketed on Arundel Mills Boulevard.

Car horns and verbal shouts filled the air at the intersection by Ridge Road with every green light bringing a new set of responses.

The group of men held a flag, a banner and two large posters reading, “Honk for traditional marriage.” Beginning at around 3:45 p.m., the protestors continued throughout rush hour.

As members of The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP), the group’s main goal is to “defend moral values in society,” said TFP staff member John Ritchie.

The organization is comprised of “practicing Catholics” and has over 120,000 members nationwide and is active all over the country, said Ritchie.

“I’m afraid if homosexual unions are legalized, we’re going to have a lot of trouble,” said Ritchie. “The family depends on marriage. If marriage is not between a man and a woman anymore, it’s a real issue. It is an attack against the very ideal and essence of family.”

The group spent their day in Annapolis yesterday before heading to Arundel Mills in Hanover to make their presence felt.

Standing on the corner of the intersection, the group occasionally shouted a rehearsed chorus of “Tradition, family, private property!” in unison while battling to keep the banner up against the early evening’s heavy winds.

The protesters had to endure more than just the wind as some passersby shouted words of disapproval. However, Matthew Shibler, a member of TFP, said they received more honks of support than shouts of disgust and profanity.

“Not all the single fingers are against us. We’ve got a lot of thumbs up,” said Shibler.

Hailing from Hanover or Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, each picketer felt strong enough about the issue to make the hour and half drive to Maryland.

“I love my family and I can’t take anything that would go up against something that beautiful,” said Shibler.

The same-sex marriage debate in Maryland was lengthened Tuesday as delegates changed votes or didn’t show up at all. While the issue is politically charged, Ritchie said the issue goes far beyond politics.

“More important than legislation, is to help change the culture,” Ritchie said. “We want to create a climate where family values are strengthened and homosexual union is rejected.”

Based on drivers’ responses, the Severn and Hanover area is well divided on this increasingly hot-button issue.