Posted by Sandie Weathers (October 26, 2012 at 1:53 pm)
More than 375 hardy souls rallied for their Religious Freedom at the Ann Arbor Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally, held on Saturday, Oct. 20th at Concordia University despite the cold temperature and the threat of more rain, as part of the nationwide rally which took place in over 140 communities in the United States. Following a pre-rally prayer service and short March to the Rally Site lead by the Knights of Columbus Color Corp, the enthusiastic crowd was welcomed by Professor Charles Schulz of Concordia University, who also serves as pastor of St Thomas Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor.
Emcee Kara Coulter, from Ave Maria Radio, honored the Veterans, Clergy and Religious, then Coulter read a statement from Bishop Earl Boyea, of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, which reads, “Thanks for the invite but I will be at Cotton Prison that morning. Please know however of my prayers. Greet all there for me and tell them that I hope someone will visit me when I am in prison when the restrictions on religious freedom are simply too grave.” [Continue reading …]
Posted in October Rally Report | Comments Off on Ann Arbor Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally Draws 375 Hardy Souls!
Posted by Marie Tasy (October 26, 2012 at 9:11 am)
10/20/12 Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally, State House, Trenton, NJ organized by New Jersey Right to Life
The third “Stand Up for Religious Freedom” rally on the steps of the New Jersey Statehouse, took place on Saturday, October 20, 2012. Organized by Marie Tasy, the Executive Director of New Jersey Right to Life, this gathering was one of hundreds simultaneously gathering in cities across the country.
The day began with Holy Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption at 10:30. Pastor Msgr. Joseph Roldan concelebrated Mass with Fr. Dan Swift, of St. Benedict Church in Holmdel, Fr. Van Hager, a Consolata Father who resides in Somerset, and Fr. Jay Bowden, who is retired of the Diocese of Trenton.
Msgr. Roldan spoke earnestly to those in attendance, welcoming and blessing the crowd on Bishop O’Connell’s behalf. “We gather for a very special reason, to defend our freedom of religion. We gather because we are under attack. Our government has declared war against its own people. Our society as we know it, and our future society, rest upon your actions today.” Roldan went further to say “Some in the military might describe this as friendly fire. But it is different. Friendly fire is accidental attack on its own, but once known about, it stops immediately and every effort is made to make things right.” [Continue reading …]
Posted in October Rally Report | Comments Off on Standing Up for Religious Freedom in Trenton, NJ
Posted by Monica Migliorino Miller (October 25, 2012 at 4:47 pm)
A Reflection on the October 20th Stand Up Rally
Monica Miller addresses the crowd at the 10/20 Rally in Detroit
As I write these words—the most important election in American history will take place in just two weeks—an election that will decide the very future of our nation and so much is at stake.
For the first time since the pilgrims disembarked the Mayflower the issue of religious liberty is something that voters must take into consideration when they discern for whom they will cast their vote on Nov. 6th. This is the time in which we live!
Even with the election of Obama four short years ago (and for many it may seem like a lot longer) who would have predicted that religious liberty would be under attack through this president’s administration in the Health and Human Services Mandate? Even all those Catholics who voted for Obama—but for whom Obama’s support for legalized abortion should have been enough of a disincentive—never envisioned that this president would initiate and stand by a decree that so seriously compromises the consciences of people of faith. [Continue reading …]
Posted by Ed Wurts (October 25, 2012 at 9:49 am)
At corner of Victoria & Telephone High Noon 10-20-12
Great to be there today and out on the street with so many really fine Christian patriots! If all Americans were like them, we would have NO crisis. This was one of a series of rallies held to protest Obamacare and HHS regulations attempting to compel us to violate our religious beliefs.
A little rain didn’t even slow us down. This was our fourth such rally, so there was a bit of deja vu and preaching to the choir talk, but we had some new folks and revved up the existing base. A crowd of nearly a hundred people attended [Continue reading …]
Posted by Eric Scheidler (October 24, 2012 at 4:54 pm)
Just like the March and June Stand Up for Religious Freedom rallies, the October Stand Up Rally has garnered significant news coverage in markets large and small. Hundreds of stories show up on a search of Google News.
Here are a few examples that illustrate how our carefully crafted media strategy has played out both nationally and locally:
Posted in October Rally Report | Comments Off on Stand Up Rally Media Strategy Garners Great Coverage
Posted by Mary Simmons (October 24, 2012 at 3:03 pm)
We are proud to say that on October 20th, 2012, Jacksonville Fl held their “Stand up for Religious Freedom” at Riverside Park. Our attendance was great with approximately 150 people in attendance.
Much like the other’s, Jacksonville’s Rally had faithful volunteers who dedicated themselves to the work of Christ. As Christians we need to continue to motivate our people, to stand strong in faith. As it is through Him and Him alone that we are able to gather on city streets to worship as one body. Most countries no longer permit any sort of public expression of faith and we are truly thankful for ours, here in the United States of America. [Continue reading …]
Posted by Steve Cameron (October 24, 2012 at 1:30 pm)
Dr. Aaron Kheriaty speaks at the Anaheim Rally.
Nearly 1200 citizens of Orange County gathered on Saturday October 25, in the parking lot at Angel Stadium under the iconic Big A and were presented with inspiring calls to action to preserve religious freedom in the United States of America by over 20 speakers and vocalists, two live bands, 20 information booths and 10 food trucks!
The event got off to a roaring start as Birth Choice Founder and CEO Kathleen Eaton arrived via patriotic Harley Davidson Motorcycle with its distinctive growl. She then enthusiastically bounded to the stage where she was joined by vocalist Clare Francis Petersen to sing the National Anthem and lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. [Continue reading …]
Posted by Jane Kramp (October 24, 2012 at 10:30 am)
The weather was gorgeous and almost 200 people showed up! Lawrence Jacobs, VP and Managing Director of World Congress of Families, spoke as well as a priest, pastor, and a respected local businessman.
Our songs included America, the Beautiful, The Battle Belongs to the Lord, and We are Called.
As I mentioned at our rally, I plan on putting together future nationwide rallies for returning God to government, schools, and our everyday lives. Did you know that 78% of all U.S. citizens believe in God? We have to take this country back to where God’s principles ruled!
Posted in October Rally Report | Comments Off on Songs, Prayers and Speeches Inspire in Rockford, IL
Posted by Fr.JamesRosselli (October 24, 2012 at 1:31 am)
It was 9:30 in the morning and the Rally would be starting in two and a half hours. Three of my four speakers had cancelled, one of them ten minutes ago, and the fourth—my keynote speaker—had just informed me that he had a cold and might not make it.
Of course, being the strong and stalwart man of God that I am, I fell into a chasm of gloomy self-pity. The devil whispered all the usual stuff in my ear, how I was a lousy leader and had fallen down on the job; how I wasn’t getting any respect because I didn’t deserve any, how maybe I should just leave the priesthood and become a bartender, or something.
Same old stuff. We’ve all heard it. It lasted about a half-hour, when I perceived the Lord saying to me, “Relax. I’ve got it.” This was reinforced by my wife (yes, being an Orthodox priest I get to say things like “my wife…”) who reminded me Who was really in charge. [Continue reading …]
Posted by Lou Murray (October 23, 2012 at 5:37 pm)
As a crowd of nearly 200 gathered around Holy Name Rotary in West Roxbury, Massachusetts for the Stand Up Rally on Saturday, October 20, another crowd gathered a mile down the road at the Corrib pub.
At the Corrib, Senators John McCain and Scott Brown took on the tough topics like the cover up of the Benghazi terror attack, and the threat to safety posed through looming cuts to the military budget. But many of those who gathered inside and outside the Corrib to get a glimpse, grab a handshake, or salute these fine Senators might want to hear about the speakers at the Stand Up Rally, who spoke so eloquently about ‘Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.’ [Continue reading …]
