Rallying for Religious Freedom

This Saturday, October 20th, tens of thousands of faithful citizens will gather in prayer and public witness in cities and towns all across the United States to oppose the federal HHS Mandate and stand up in defense of our religious liberty and freedom of conscience — which are guaranteed to us by the First Amendment.  There are 145 rallies scheduled in 43 states, including seven in Illinois. 

Please plan to join these rallies and say NO to the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Mandate, which forces employers — including religious charities — to provide free contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs in their health plans or face massive fines. 

Initially, this mandate has had the greatest impact on the Catholic Church.  However, if it is not reversed, it has the potential to restrict the freedom of religion and conscience of every faith in the entire nation.  It is important that those of us who cherish religious liberty, as handed down to us from our forefathers in the First Amendment to the Constitution, let our voices be heard.  We are joining with dozens of state and national pro-life organizations in support of this effort including the Pro-Life Action League, Alliance Defending Freedom, Concerned Women for America, Americans United for Life, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and dozens more. 

Too many Americans are buying the lie that this is about “birth control access” and “women’s health.”  Instead, this is an overt effort by the Federal government to force religious institutions and organizations to violate their faith principles and pay for abortion-inducing drugs and sterilizations for girls as young as 12 years old!  This is about the left’s alleged “wall of separation of church and state” being systematically violated by the state!

There are six rallies scheduled for Illinois.  Unless otherwise noted, all the rallies are from noon until 1:00 p.m.  If you are within driving distance of one of these events, please make every effort to attend.

Belleville 
Office of State Representative Jerry Costello 
144 Lincoln Place Ct, Suite 4 (map) 

Chicago (Sponsored by Pro-Life Action League) 
March from Federal Plaza to Daley Plaza
Meet at Adams and Dearborn Streets (map) 

Peoria 
NOTE: The Peoria Rally will begin at 11 a.m. 
Gateway Building 
200 Northeast Water Street (map) 

Rockford 
Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse
327 South Church Street (map) 

Sterling 
NOTE: The Sterling Rally takes place from 11 a.m. to Noon. 
Central Memorial Park
4th Street and Park Avenue (map) 

Woodstock 
McHenry County Courthouse 
2200 N. Seminary Avenue (Highway 47) (map)