WORCESTER, Mass.—A gay marriage opponent from Virginia has been cleared of charges he assaulted a counter-demonstrator during a rally in Worcester, Mass.

After deliberating for about seven hours, a district court jury acquitted 51-year-old Larry Cirignano of Arlington, Va. The former head of the group Catholic Citizenship was accused of pushing gay marriage supporter Sarah Loy to the ground last December during the rally against same-sex marriage.

Loy said she bruised her elbow and shoulder when she hit the pavement.

Two prosecution witnesses—including a reporter for the Telegram & Gazette of Worcester—testified that they saw Cirignano push Loy. But Cirignano said he gently guided Loy away from the speaker’s podium because he feared her presence might lead to an altercation, and did not see her fall.