Pages

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Out of the pews and into the streets

by Chelsea Schilling 


Just 17 days before Election Day, American voters of all faiths will take to the streets in the name of religious freedom and in protest of the Obamacare contraception mandate  – with one of the major protests unfolding on President Obama’s doorstep.
On Oct. 20 at 12 noon, more than 100 “Stand Up for Religious Freedom” rallies sponsored by the Stand Up for Religious Freedom Coalition will take place in cities coast to coast, including Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and others.

The White House protest, which is sponsored by the Christian Defense Coalition and Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, is scheduled for Sept. 30 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“I think the Obama administration really awakened a sleeping giant with this thing,” said Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League and co-director of the Stand Up for Religious Freedom rallies.
According to the group, tens of thousands of citizens are expected to rally in peaceful, non-partisan demonstrations at local federal buildings, court houses, congressional offices, city parks and churches. The organization notes that at least 300 “Stand Up for Religious Freedom” rallies took place in March and June, drawing more than 125,000 participants.
“People have been feeling like their faith is being treated shoddily by the government, by much of the culture and by the mainstream media,” Scheidler told WND. “They’ve been feeling it for years, in terms of being marginalized and being made to feel their faith is unwelcome in the public square.”
Under Obamacare’s contraception mandate, all employers – even religious institutions – must offer contraceptives, sterilizations and abortion-inducing drugs to employees.
According to the Congressional Research Service, companies that do not comply may be hit with a federal tax of $100 per day for each employee.

Just three months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Obama’s massive health reform law in a 5-4 decision.
“Many people were counting on the Supreme Court to solve this problem by striking down the law,” Scheidler explained. “But that’s not what happened, so it’s really up to us now to get out on Election Day and make a difference. That’s why we decided to hold this rally 17 days before the election – to expose the injustice of the HHS mandate right in the heart of the election season and to rally the troops.”
“Also, we want to put all those running for office on notice that this issue matters to us and it’s not going to go away.”
Meanwhile, American courtrooms are bursting with lawsuits brought by businesses and religious groups. As WND reported, the American Center for Law and Justice is representing 79 members of Congress with friend-of-the-court briefs filed in 12 separate lawsuits brought by more than 40 Catholic organizations suing over the requirement.

“The lawsuits are proceeding and many institutions are fighting the HHS mandate, but it’s going to take years for that process to complete,” he said. “And you never know which way a court ruling is going to go.”
He added, “But if we can change the leadership or we can convince our elected officials to take action, that will be a much faster way to solve this problem and prevent the mayhem of religious institutions and business owners having to face massive penalties or be shut down over this issue of conscience. It’s really our most direct route. It’s time for people of faith to wake up.”


Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League and co-director of the Stand Up for Religious Freedom rallies

Scheidler said people from all walks of life, from all faiths, from all races – men and women – have been turning out in droves to protest the mandate.
“The mainstream media and the Obama administration and Planned Parenthood were trying to make this thing out to be a battle between crusty, old Catholic bishops and a bunch of bold, young women trying to live out their lives in freedom,” he said. “One of the big successes of the June and March rallies was that they really put a face on the movement against the HHS mandate that is pretty compelling. I think we’ve really shown the power of grassroots activism to reset the agenda.”
As for Americans who would prefer to stay home on Oct. 20, Scheidler urges them to think twice about that decision.
He said, “Whether we achieve a tremendous victory or this is the beginning of the end of freedom in America, you don’t want to look back in 10 or 20 years and try to explain to your grandchildren or your great-grandchildren why you were sitting down when other people were standing up for religious freedom.”



The following is a list of scheduled rallies at the time of this report. A complete list is available at StandUpRally.com. All rallies begin at noon local time on Oct. 20 unless otherwise noted.
StandUpRally.com does not require RSVP and will provide signs. To sign up to be a rally captain in another city, individuals may fill out this form.

Alabama

Huntsville (Sponsored by Huntsville Right to Life): Site to be determined.
Email the Huntsville Rally Captain



Mobile: Site to be determined.
Email the Mobile Rally Captain

Alaska

Kenai: Site to be determined.
Email the Kenai Rally Captain

Arizona

Phoenix: Site to be determined.
Email the Phoenix Rally Captain


Tucson: Site to be determined.
Email the Tucson Rally Captain

California 

 

Los Angeles (Sponsored by Survivors): Site to be determined.
Email the Los Angeles Rally Captain


Madera: St. Joachim Church, 401 W. 5th Street (map)
Email the Madera Rally Captain


Orange County: Site to be determined.
Email the Orange County Rally Captain


Redding: City Hall, 777 Cypress Avenue (map)
Email the Redding Rally Captain


San Diego: NOTE: The San Diego Rally takes place on Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.
San Diego County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Highway
Email the San Diego Rally Captain


San Francisco (Sponsored by Black Pro-Life Coalition): NOTE: The San Francisco rally takes place on Oct. 20 at 1 p.m., site to be determined.
Email the San Francisco Rally Captain


Santa Maria: Site to be determined.
Email the Santa Maria Rally Captain


Temecula: Site to be determined.
Email the Temecula Rally Captain


Ventura: Site to be determined.
Email the Ventura Rally Captain 

Colorado

Colorado Springs: Site to be determined.
Email the Colorado Springs Rally Captain

Connecticut

New Haven: Site to be determined.
Email the New Haven Rally Captain

District of Columbia

Washington, D.C. (Sponsored by Christian Defense Coalition and Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust)
NOTE: The Washington, D.C., rally takes place Sept. 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (map)
Email the Washington, D.C. Rally Captain 

Florida

Daytona Beach: Site to be determined.
Email the Daytona Beach Rally Captain


Fort Lauderdale: Site to be determined.
Email the Fort Lauderdale Rally Captain


Fort Pierce: Federal Courthouse, 101 South U.S. Highway 1 (map)
Email the Fort Pierce Rally Captain


Miami: Site to be determined.
Email the Miami Rally Captain


Orlando (Sponsored by Pro-Life Action Ministries): Site to be determined.
Email the Orlando Rally Captain


Pensacola: Site to be determined.
Email the Pensacola Rally Captain


Sarasota:
NOTE: The Sarasota Rally takes place Oct. 27 at 10 a.m., site to be determined.
Email the Sarasota Rally Captain


St. Petersburg:
NOTE: The St. Petersburg Rally takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20
Founders’ Corner, 62nd Avenue N. and 4th Street N. (map)
Email the St. Petersburg Rally Captain 

Georgia

Athens: Site to be determined.
Email the Athens Rally Captain

Hawaii

Honolulu: Site to be determined.
Email the Honolulu Rally Captain

Idaho

Boise: NOTE: The Boise rally will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Capitol Park, 601 W. Jefferson Street
Email the Boise Rally Captain

Illinois

Chicago (Sponsored by Pro-Life Action League): Site to be determined.
Email the Chicago Rally Captain


Peoria: Site to be determined.
Email the Peoria Rally Captain


Woodstock: Site to be determined.
Email the Woodstock Rally Captain 

Indiana

Bloomington: Site to be determined.
Email the Bloomington Rally Captain


Evansville (Sponsored by Right to Life of Southwest Indiana): Site to be determined.
Email the Evansville Rally Captain


Indianapolis (Sponsored by Right to Life of Indianapolis): Site to be determined.
Email the Indianapolis Rally Captain


La Porte: Site to be determined.
Email the La Porte Rally Captain


Merrillville: Site to be determined.
Email the Merrillville Rally Captain


South Bend: NOTE: The South Bend Rally takes place  Oct. 27, site to be determined.
Email the South Bend Rally Captain

Iowa

Davenport: Site to be determined.
Email the Davenport Rally Captain


Des Moines (Sponsored by Iowa Right to Life): Site to be determined.
Email the Des Moines Rally Captain


Fairfield: Site to be determined.
Email the Fairfield Rally Captain 

Kentucky

Louisville: Site to be determined.
Email the Louisville Rally Captain


Owensboro: Site to be determined.
Email the Owensboro Rally Captain

Louisiana

Metairie: Site to be determined.
Email the Metairie Rally Captain


New Orleans: Site to be determined.
Email the New Orleans Rally Captain


Baton Rouge: Site to be determined.
Email the Baton Rouge Rally Captain

Massachusetts

Boston (West Roxbury): Site to be determined.
Email the Boston (West Roxbury) Rally Captain 

Michigan

Detroit (Sponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society): Site to be determined.
Email the Detroit Rally Captain


Flint: Site to be determined.
Email the Flint Rally Captain


Gaylord: Site to be determined.
Email the Gaylord Rally Captain


Kalamazoo: Site to be determined.
Email the Kalamazoo Rally Captain


Livonia: St. Aidan Church, 17500 Farmington Road (map)
Email the Livonia Rally Captain


Ontonagon: Site to be determined.
Email the Ontonagon Rally Captain

Minnesota

Minneapolis (Sponsored by Pro-Life Action Ministries): Site to be determined.
Email the Minneapolis Rally Captain

Mississippi

Carrollton: Site to be determined.
Email the Carrollton Rally Captain 

Missouri

Jefferson City: Site to be determined.
Email the Jefferson City Rally Captain


St. Louis (Sponsored by Defenders of the Unborn): Site to be determined.
Email the St. Louis Rally Captain

Montana

Billings: Site to be determined.
Email the Billings Rally Captain

Nebraska

Lincoln (Sponsored by Lincoln Right to Life): NOTE: The Lincoln Rally will be held Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.
Antelope Park, 33rd and A Street
Email the Lincoln Rally Captain


Omaha (Sponsored by Nebraskans United for Life): Site to be determined.
Email the Omaha Rally Captain

Nevada

Las Vegas: Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Boulevard (map)
Email the Las Vegas Rally Captain 

New Jersey

Cape May: Site to be determined.
Email the Cape May Rally Captain

Trenton: State Capitol, 125 W. State Street (map)
Email the Trenton Rally Captain

New York

Buffalo: Site to be determined.
Email the Buffalo Rally Captain

Goshen: Site to be determined.
Email the Goshen Rally Captain

Norwich: East Park, N. Broad Street and Main Street (map)
Email the Norwich Rally Captain

Rochester: Washington Square Park, 181 S. Clinton Ave.
Email the Rochester Rally Captain

Syracuse: Site to be determined.
Email the Syracuse Rally Captain

North Carolina

Raleigh: Site to be determined.
Email the Raleigh Rally Captain

Winston-Salem: Site to be determined.
Email the Winston-Salem Rally Captain 

Ohio

Cincinnati: Site to be determined.
Email the Cincinnati Rally Captain

Columbus (Sponsored by Greater Columbus Right to Life): Site to be determined.
Email the Columbus Rally Captain

Dayton: Court House Square, 3rd and Main Street
Email the Dayton Rally Captain
Steubenville (Sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 11828): NOTE: The Steubenville Rally takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Holy Name Cathedral parking lot, 411 South 5th Street
Email the Steubenville Rally Captain

Toledo: Site to be determined.
Email the Toledo Rally Captain

Oregon

Eugene: Site to be determined.
Email the Eugene Rally Captain

Salem: Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE
Email the Salem Rally Captain 

Pennsylvania

Greensburg: Site to be determined.
Email the Greensburg Rally Captain

Philadelphia: Site to be determined.
Email the Philadelphia Rally Captain

Pittsburgh (Sponsored by Two Hearts Two Treasures): NOTE: The Pittsburgh rally will begin with a prayer walk starting at 9 a.m. More information is available here.
Phil’s Place, 917 Liberty Avenue
Email the Pittsburgh Rally Captain

Pottstown: Riverfront Park Area, Hanover Street & Industrial Highway (map)
Email the Pottstown Rally Captain

Reading: Penn Street Bridge
Email the Reading Rally Captain

Scranton: Wiliam J. Nealon Federal Building, 235 N. Washington Avenue (map)
Email the Scranton Rally Captain

Williamsport: Site to be determined.
Email the Williamsport Rally Captain

South Carolina

Charleston: U.S. Custom House, 200 East Bay Street (map)
Email the Charleston Rally Captain 

South Dakota

Pierre: Site to be determined.
Email the Pierre Rally Captain

Rapid City: Site to be determined.
Email the Rapid City Rally Captain

Texas

Corpus Christi: Site to be determined.
Email the Corpus Christi Rally Captain

Del Rio: Site to be determined.
Email the Del Rio Rally Captain

San Antonio (Sponsored by Texas Leadership Coalition): Site to be determined.
Email the San Antonio Rally Captain

Virginia

Charlottesville: Site to be determined.
Email the Charlottesville Rally Captain

Lexington (Sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 11557): Site to be determined.
Email the Lexington Rally Captain

Virginia Beach: Site to be determined.
Email the Virginia Beach Rally Captain 

Washington

Richland (Tri-Cities): Site to be determined.
Email the Richland (Tri-Cities) Rally Captain

Seattle: U.S. District Courthouse, 700 Stewart Street (map)
Email the Seattle Rally Captain

Wenatchee: Site to be determined.
Email the Wenatchee Rally Captain

Wisconsin

Eau Claire: Site to be determined.
Email the Eau Claire Rally Captain

Green Bay: Site to be determined.
Email the Green Bay Rally Captain

La Crosse: Site to be determined.
Email the La Crosse Rally Captain

Madison: State Capitol, State Street steps, Washington Street and Wisconsin Avenue (map)
Email the Madison Rally Captain

Milwaukee: Site to be determined.
Email the Milwaukee Rally Captain

Stevens Point: Site to be determined.
Email the Stevens Point Rally Captain

A complete list of rallies is available at StandUpRally.com. All rallies begin at noon local time on Oct. 20 unless otherwise noted.
StandUpRally.com does not require RSVP and will provide signs. To sign up to be a rally captain in another city, individuals may fill out this form.  

















No comments:

Post a Comment