Illinois Pro-Family Groups to Kick-off Statewide Marriage Bus Tour

The 'United We Stand--Defending Marriage' bus will visit 14 cities in Illinois, from Oct. 16-22, in support of traditional marriage.

By Katherine T. Phan, Christian Post Reporter Friday, October 15, 2004

As the election draws closer, a coalition of pro-family groups in Illinois is sponsoring a state-wide bus tour in support of traditional marriage will kick off the rally tomorrow.

The "United We Stand--Defending Marriage” will begin its 14-city bus tour in Chicago at 2 p.m. then meet with Elmhurst supporters at 5 p.m. Sponsors of the pro-traditional marriage rally include Illinois Family Institute and Concerned Women for America of Illinois.

The rally comes just weeks after the House voted down the Marriage Protection Amendment, which would define marriage as between a man and a woman.

Earlier this year, Massachusetts legalized same-sex “marriage” sparking both a movement by homosexual activists to legalize same-sex "marriages" across the nation and a pro-family movement to stop it. Pro-family advocates began cheering on a constitutional amendment defining marriage. Although the Senate filibustered the amendment in July, the setback only spurred on pro-family efforts to protect traditional marriage by holding rallies and petition drives.

In fact, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather for a national marriage rally, called “May Day for Marriage,” on Friday at the National Mall in Washington D.C. The event will feature prominent pro-family speakers.

Currently, up to 11 states are slated to vote on a constitutional amendment defining marriage on Nov. 2. Illinois has no such measure up for vote since a proposed initiative to allow state voters to decide on the amendment was stalled by House Speaker Mike Madigan and did not meet the deadline for the fall ballot.

During the kick-off rally, all Illinois U.S. Senate candidates, including Barack Obama (D) and Alan Keyes (R) will have the chance to answer the question: "What would you do to preserve traditional marriage in Illinois?"

“United We Stand members believe that only the voters of Illinois -- not unelected judges, homosexual activists, nor the politicians who are subservient to them -- should decide if non- marital relationships are to be treated in the law as equal to married relationships,” declared the group in a statement.

The group also said it believes “that the people of Illinois will approve an amendment ensuring that real marriage retains the special status it deserves as the building block of a healthy society-one that honors God and nurtures children.”

Rally sponsors are: Coalition to Protect Marriage: Illinois Family Institute; Concerned Women for America of Illinois; African American Family Association; Vote Life America; The Walsh Forum; Family Taxpayer Network; Catholic Citizens of Illinois, Culture Campaign; Concerned Citizens of America (of Rockford); Eagle Forum; Illinois Family Coalition; Concerned Christian Americans; Citizens for Community Values of Illinois; Concerned Citizens- Safety of Students (CC-SOS); and Reclaiming Christian Values (Olney).

For rally locations and times, visit http://www.illinoisfamily.org or http://illinois.cwfa.org, or call IFI at 630-790-8370.