A group supporting the Domestic Partners Ordinance said over 550 people took part in a downtown Chattanooga “March for Equality” on Friday night.
Also, Mayor Andy Berke was to lead an effort to canvass voters on Saturday evening in support of the measure.
Those in attendance included Councilman Chris Anderson and church members from St. Marks United Methodist Church, New Covenant Church of Chattanooga, The Rock Metropolitan Community Church, Agape Christian Church, Christ Episcopal, Grace Episcopal ,Pilgrim Congregational Church – United Church of Christ, Relevant Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Humanist Assembly , Mercy Junction, Renaissance Presbyterian Church., St Elmo United Methodist Church and Northminster Presbyterian, officials said.
Kat Cooper said, “In recent past, we have watched our citizens marginalized for their gender, the color of their skin and now because of who they love. Next week, we have a great opportunity to ensure a safe and equal future for all our citizens. Our great nation has made monumental strides in this effort from coast to coast. We must not let Chattanooga fall behind.”
The march helped launch YES Chattanooga’s “Get out the Vote” phase of the campaign.
Officials said, "With more than 480 volunteers and over 34,000 calls made, we are confident that Chattanooga will stand up for fairness this coming Thursday. Neighbors having conversations with neighbors are a key element of any grassroots campaign and we believe strongly that we can overcome the cynicism and bigotry that sent this issue to the ballot.
"Faith outreach has been a central tenant of our YES Chattanooga campaign. Thus, we will be moving to our Get Out the Vote operations to St. Marks United Methodist Church on Mississippi Avenue. Any Chattanoogan that believes in fairness and equality and wants to help us with this final push should feel free to join us there Saturday through Wednesday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Election Day we will be at Renaissance Presbyterian Church on Boynton Drive all day."