• Dozens of people march across the Golden Gate Bridge in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in San Francisco Saturday, June 6, 2020. Photo: Jeff Chiu, AP / Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

    Dozens of people march across the Golden Gate Bridge in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in San Francisco Saturday, June 6, 2020.

    Dozens of people march across the Golden Gate Bridge in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in San Francisco Saturday, June 6, 2020.

    Photo: Jeff Chiu, AP
Photo: Jeff Chiu, AP
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Dozens of people march across the Golden Gate Bridge in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in San Francisco Saturday, June 6, 2020.

Dozens of people march across the Golden Gate Bridge in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in San Francisco Saturday, June 6, 2020.

Photo: Jeff Chiu, AP

During the historic protest on the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday, in which thousands marched to demonstrate against the police killing of George Floyd, a man suddenly got down on one knee and asked his partner of five years to marry him.

Around halfway across the 1.7-mile span of the bridge, Quinlin Messenger popped the question and Carrie Fagan Montgomery said "yes."

The joyous moment was captured by the cheering crowd on social media.

Newly engaged Carrie Fagan, a museum events director in San Francisco, shared a video of the proposal on Instagram, writing, "So this just happened today... I love this man, and so honored to have him by my side as we walk together to make this world a better place for our kids there is no time like the present to change the future, and damnit it starts with LOVE."

Messenger later explained on Facebook that the proposal came after five years of overcoming his own fears about protesting racial injustice.

“I’ve been grappling with the fear of going to protest as a black man in America, but Carrie Montgomery, you’ve helped me conquer that fear!” he wrote to his new fiance, “And you’ve shown me that the power of empathy, patience, and understanding can truly inspire change. So excited for what lies ahead for us, and our family to be. We hope our love can be a beacon for all!”

The pair told ABC7 they didn’t want the engagement to detract from the protests, but wanted to see it as an inspirational moment during a difficult time. "When I showed up there were cops and I felt the anxiety. I trusted that I would have that strength because I reached into my pocket and I held onto that ring, and everything in me, to give me the strength and follow love. It was a powerful moment for me as well." Messenger said.

Andrew Chamings is a digital editor at SFGATE. Email: Andrew.Chamings@sfgate.com | Twitter: @AndrewChamings