Tens of thousands march against same-sex marriage in Mexico

Men kiss as they arrive at the Angel of Independence monument, after in Mexico City, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. Dueling marches, in support and against Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s push to legalize same-sex marriage, gathered at the Angel of Independence monument. The two sides were kept apart Saturday by hundreds of police and barriers erected around the city's iconic monument. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) (The Associated Press)

A girl walks under a rainbow flag during a gay rights march along Reforma Avenue, in Mexico City, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. Dueling marches, in support and against Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s push to legalize same-sex marriage, gathered at the Angel of Independence monument. The two sides were kept apart Saturday by hundreds of police and barriers erected around the city's iconic monument. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) (The Associated Press)

Demonstrators take part in a march organized by representatives of the National Front for the Family, in Mexico City, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. Dueling marches, in support and against Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s push to legalize same-sex marriage, gathered at the Angel of Independence monument. The two sides were kept apart Saturday by hundreds of police and barriers erected around the city's iconic monument. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) (The Associated Press)

Tens of thousands of people are marching in Mexico City in opposition to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's push to legalize same-sex marriage.

A much smaller demonstration by supporters of same-sex marriage also took place. The two sides were kept apart Saturday by hundreds of police and barriers erected around the city's iconic Angel of Independence monument.

Representatives of the National Front for the Family that organized the opposition march say caravans of buses arrived from several states around the country.

Demonstrators dressed all in white carrying white balloons filled a wide boulevard for many blocks.

In May, Pena Nieto proposed legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. It is legal only in some places including Mexico City and the northern state of Coahuila.

The Roman Catholic church opposes the president's proposal.