A mostly well-planned flurry of reaction met yesterday’s decision by the California Supreme Court to uphold the ban on same-sex marriage.

By 10:00 a.m., a crowd had gathered by the California Supreme Court in San Francisco. They awaited word of the Court’s decision.

The decision, to uphold voters’ passage last year of the ban, wasn’t entirely unexpected. But it was a blow that affected even public officials. San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, second from right, held a press conference.

“Today’s ruling doesn’t mean marriage equality will never be achieved,” he said. “It simply means that, in the end, we can’t rely on the courts to secure it.” He added, “The final decisive round will not be won in the legal arena, it will be won in the electoral arena.”

The effects of strategizing and organizing began to take shape almost immediately. Protesters blocked traffic on nearby Van Ness Avenue, a main traffic artery. There were between 100 and 200 arrests, which were processed relatively efficiently.

Early that evening, a rally gathered.

A march started by the domed City Hall…

…and passed by the state Supreme Court, where police remained on watch.

Quite a number of protesters found powerful and inventive ways to make their point.

At one point, emotions and alcohol set off a limited confrontation.

And that led to an unpleasant arrest of a companion.

Which then led to about 500 people diverting themselves to an unplanned route, leaving hapless drivers unexpectedly surrounded.

Marriage equality activists expect to achieve their goal in California via the ballot box in 2010, or 2012 at the latest.

Luke Thomas is editor and publisher of Fog City Journal, where a version of this story is concurrently posted.