High court protester has history of disrupting public events

This artist rendering shows security removing an anti-gay protestor from the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, April 28, 2015, during the court's hearing on same-sex marriage. The session was interrupted after about 30 minutes by an anti-gay marriage protester who yelled that supporters of gay marriage "will burn in hell." He was removed by security. (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren) This artist rendering shows security removing an anti-gay protestor from the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, April 28, 2015, during the court's hearing on same-sex marriage. The session was interrupted after about 30 minutes by an anti-gay marriage protester who yelled that supporters of gay marriage "will burn in hell." He was removed by security. (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)

By Associated Press April 28, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The protester who interrupted the Supreme Court’s historic argument over gay marriage is an anti-abortion activist with a history of disrupting public events.

Rives Miller Grogan was arrested Tuesday after he began yelling in the courtroom that supporters of gay marriage “will burn in hell.”

Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said he was charged with making a “harangue” or using loud or threatening language in court and demonstrating with the intent of interfering with the administration of justice.

Grogan made headlines in 2013 when he climbed a tree near the U.S. Capitol and shouted during President Barack Obama’s inaugural address. He was convicted on misdemeanor charges and ordered to stay away from the U.S. Capitol grounds.

He’s been convicted at least five times since 2009 of disorderly conduct and similar charges.