Members of Canton City Council, local clergy leaders and the Stark County Black Caucus announced their endorsement of the Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom Amendment at a press conference at Canton City Hall today.

Canton City Council President Allen Schulman said “the time has come to treat all loving couples equally under the law. This is a fairness and a family security issue.”

Pastor C. David Morgan, a co-chairman of the Freedom To Marry Faith Steering Committee, said, “the amendment gives a loving couple the freedom to go to city hall and get a marriage license. At the same time, the amendment protects religious freedoms. Houses of worship are free to recognize or not recognize, marry or not marry, same-gender couples.”

Elder G.L. Evans II, Stark County Black Caucus President, said, “marriage equality is the civil rights issue of our time. We are committed to helping to pass this amendment to bring marriage equality to Ohio.”

Ian James, FreedomOhio co-founder, thanked the Canton area political, civic and religious leaders for endorsing the Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom Amendment.

“This is a great day in Canton, the bellwether of Ohio and the nation, and we cannot thank these great leaders enough for their support,” James said.

For more information, go to freedomohio.com.