The National Front for the Family organization is taking responsibility for an anti-gay marriage march that drew thousands of protesters to the streets of Mexico this past September 10, 2016. The demonstration was aimed at bringing raised attention to President Enrique Pena Nieto's recent proposal to recognize same-sex marriage across all of the historically conservative country.

The National Front for the Family bills itself as a coalition of civil society organizations comprised of several different religious groups.

Peña Nieto Wants Same-sex Marriage Across all of Mexico

According to Reuters, Same sex marriage is already allowed in such places as Mexico City, Coahuila, Quintana Roo, Jalisco, Nayarit, Chihuahua and Sonora. Peña Nieto's proposal seeks to change the constitution to the point where it would be allowed throughout the country.

Already facing a severe backlash stemming from a slowing economy and his recent decision to meet with Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump in his homeland, Peña Nieto has faced much criticism in the wake of his latest proposal.

Peña Nieto's Troubles

Throughout his campaign, Trump has made the issue of immigration a staple of his candidacy, vowing to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and asserting that he will force the Mexican government to foot the bill for an elaborate wall he plans to build along the Mexican border to further keep immigrants out.

"It's pulling on the noose," Mexican sociologist Victor Sanchez said of Peña Nieto's same sex proposal. "This comes as the government is showing a certain sort of fragility in other areas ... and they're taking advantage of the moment."

An estimated 40,000 people took to the streets on September 10 in the city of Querétaro, marching up to four kilometers to voice their opposition to Peña Nieto's call.

"I think it was something unprecedented," said Jose Alcantara, an organizer with the National Front for the Family, adding that the group has gathered more than 100,000 signatures.

Protests also took place in other regions of Mexico and at least one media outlet is reporting that at least 1 million people took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with Peña Nieto's proposal.

Back in 2015, Mexico's Supreme Court ruled that laws restricting marriage to a man and woman were unconstitutional. Despite the ruling, many state legislatures have refrained from changing statutes complying with the ruling, requiring couples to file legal challenges to same sex marriages on a case-by-case basis.