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4 MN Mayors Sign Marriage Equality Statement

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Four mayors from Minnesota cities have signed a statement aligning themselves with a coalition fighting for marriage equality.

On Friday, the chairs for the bipartisan group Mayors for the Freedom to Marry announced they had the support of more than 75 mayors across the country.

Among those included were Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak, St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman, Duluth mayor Don Ness and Rochester mayor Ardell Brede.

The group announced their goal: "Securing the freedom to marry and upholding equal rights for all citizens."

One of the groups chairs is San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders (R), who said, "Allowing loving and committed couples to join in marriage has benefits not just for couples and their families—but also for society. Marriage encourages people to take responsibility for each other, provides greater security for children, and helps our country live up to its promises set forth in our founding documents."

Currently, there are a number of cities in Minnesota that recognize same-sex domestic partnerships, including all four of those whose mayors have signed Freedom to Marry's announcement.

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