Pro-Proposition 8 demonstrators, many of them non-students, clashed with members of Students for Justice and a larger crowd opposing the proposed ban on gay marriage in De Anza College’s Main Quad on Monday.

While the crowd was smaller than at previous demonstrations, the “Yes on 8” demonstrators were more numerous than before. Still, they failed to equal the number of students who turned out in opposition to the proposed gay marriage ban in California.

“This is not an act of discrimination on any minority group,” said Victor Jih, an organizer of the protest. “We are here to preserve something which is very sacred, very valuable to many people.”

Officers from the Foothill-De Anza Campus Police were present to ensure that students express themselves without endangering the campus environment and that demonstrators remain in the Main Quad.

As De Anza is a community college, non-students are allowed on campus. However, if non-student organizations wish to hold an organized demonstration on campus, they must first obtain a permit or opt to restrict themselves to the designated “Free Speech Zone” near the Hinson Campus Center.

Despite the presence of police, many who attended the event saw the non-student demonstrators as being hostile and intimidating rather then peaceful.

There were also some worries that verbal arguments could have escalated into physical confrontation. “They were being verbally aggressive to the point that it could have escalated to physical aggression very easily,” said Ernest Chavez, a member of Students For Justice.

Members of Students for Justice who were present at the protest had been instructed by advisors to keep their demonstration peaceful.

“A healthy disagreement adds to the learning environment,” said Robert Griffin, Vice President, Student Services & Institutional Research.

Campus police are typically notified of any unscheduled event on campus to provide protection for both students and outside groups while ensuring that nothing be allowed to disturb the learning environment.

“If non-students are involved, that’s not good for the college community because they don’t have a stake in what happens on campus,” said Bob Concilla, Director of Campus Security.

Jih dismissed the claim that “Yes on 8” demonstrators created a hostile environment with their demonstrations on campus, but did admit that some participants acted in an offensive manner toward gays and lesbians.

“There were students who felt strongly about Proposition 8 who went overboard with it,” said Jih, “but you cannot label an entire group of people based a few peoples’ misconduct.”

The De Anza branch of Live Action has been disbanded by the Inter Club Council for their failure to set up a booth on Club Day and for not having attended four previous Council meetings.