???As the marriage equality postal vote campaign enters its last weeks, thousands of "yes" voters took to the streets of Sydney on Saturday afternoon in a final push for votes.
Up to 15,000 "yes" campaigners met in Belmore Park and marched towards Victoria Park with bright colours and music, in a bid to encourage remaining voters to mail in their postal forms this week.
The rally kicked off a "National Equality Weekend" run by the Australian Marriage Equality, with marches due to take place across the country in every capital city this weekend.
A Newspoll published earlier this week suggested three in five Australians who have already voted ticked 'yes'.
But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, two in every three eligible Australians had voted by October 13, leaving five million votes outstanding.
Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Clint McGilvray said the campaign is excited about their prospects but wants to ensure they get as many votes as possible.
"It's incredible to feel so much support for marriage equality this weekend," McGilvray said.
"But we know we can't be complacent, and we have to get as many votes as possible to achieve equality for all.
"The focus this weekend is to encourage people to get their survey forms in the post by the 27th, and to continue encouraging family and friends to vote yes and get it in the post box this week.
Speaking at the rally, Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek told the crowd to remain positive, saying "when they go low, we'll go high" - referencing a famous phrase coined by Michelle Obama in the 2016 US elections.
Meanwhile, a "March for Marriage" with hundreds of "no" campaigners met close by on Saturday afternoon, near Hyde Park.
The "no" rally gathered at St Mary's Cathedral, and marched through the city to "raise public awareness... and provide an occasion where members of the public can peacefully express their support of marriage as currently defined by Australian law".
The two rallies proceeded peacefully, and police were not aware of any incidents or clashes between participants from the two campaigns.
Monica Doumit, spokeswoman for the Coalition for Marriage said the "no" campaign will also continue to "be out there and talk to as many people as possible until the 7th of November".
The ABS advises voters to post their forms by Friday October 27 to ensue their vote counts.
Votes will be accepted until 6pm on November 7.
with AAP
