Foe of gay marriage to face assault case

A clerk magistrate in Worcester found probable cause yesterday for criminal charges against the leader of a local Catholic group who allegedly pushed a supporter of same-sex marriage to the ground during a December rally, prosecutors said.

Larry Cirignano, 50, executive director of Catholic Citizenship, is to be arraigned April 11 in Central District Court on charges of assault and battery and violation of civil rights, prosecutors said.

The alleged victim, Sarah Loy, 27, of Worcester, said she was facing a crowd of opponents of same-sex marriage outside Worcester's City Hall, holding a sign that read "No discrimination in the constitution." She said that Cirignano told her to leave and that before she could, he grabbed her by the shoulders with his hands and pushed her backward. Loy said she fell, but was not injured.

"I'm very glad that the city of Worcester and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are taking civil rights seriously," she said in a phone interview. "It's good news, because my civil rights were violated."

Cirignano could not be reached for comment.

In December, Cirignano told the Globe he was guiding Loy away from the event with his arm on her back. He said he had a portfolio in his left hand and did not see her fall. "I promise you, I did not throw her to the ground," he said.

Cirignano's group was founded by Raymond L. Flynn, a former Boston mayor, to promote political activism among Catholics. Flynn, who spoke at the event, did not return messages yesterday. After the incident, he said in a statement: "I didn't see any incident, but nobody has the right to push anyone. The marriage issue is very important, and everyone is entitled to protest and demonstrate peacefully."