Close to two dozen people celebrated outside of judge Thomas Wilson's courtroom on Monday morning.
Each feeling a combination of pride and relief with Jackson's nondiscrimination ordinance being officially put into effect.
"I've got chills running up and down my spine, this is a wonderful feeling," smiles Carl Struble. "I feel like I'm a true American, like I was just handed the constitution and it made me a part of America."
Judge Wilson's decision that the petitions blocking the NDO were invalid brought cheers from the gallery, but not everyone is pleased.
"I just think it's a sad day that the city attorney and the city council don't care about a thousand electors and citizens of the city of Jackson," explains David Kallman, the attorney representing the circulators of the petition.
Kallman says he doesn't understand why the city council won't just let it go to a vote, and this is only the beginning of the fight.
"We'll look at other options including possible appeal initiatives, there's other things that can be done," he says.
But Jackson vice mayor Derek Dobies argues the city will continue to fight efforts to strike down the ordinance:
"The city is gonna stand against that, stand for tolerance and inclusion, and work to build a more tolerant and inclusive city."
Organizers with Jackson Together say they'll be ready for more people to challenge the ordinance, but they're confident they'll win.
