AS APPEARED IN THE DAILY NEWS , JULY 26, 2004 SPORTS FINAL EDITION

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 33

LENGTH: 127 words

HEADLINE: 'ATTACK' ON NUPS BLASTED AT RALLY

BYLINE: BY Lisa L. Colangelo

BODY:

   HUNDREDS OF people gathered yesterday outside City Hall to renew their wedding vows and declare their belief that marriage should take place only between men and women.

   "The institution of marriage is under attack," said the Rev. Joseph Mattera, director of the City Covenant Coalition. "This is not an anti-gay rally. It's a pro-traditional marriage and family values rally."

   Sam and Lisa Ortiz, who have been married for 13 years, traveled from Yonkers with their 4-year-old son, Matthew.

   "We want to support the belief of man and woman as one under God in marriage, " Sam Ortiz, 34, said.

   Mattera said the group will track how elected officials vote on the subject of same-sex marriage.

   "We will remember how they vote and where they stand on Election Day," he said.

GRAPHIC: COREY SIPKIN DAILY NEWS Hundreds of couples renew their wedding vows yesterday while affirming their belief that marriage should only be between a man and a woman, at a rally organized by the City Covenant Coalition outside City Hall.