Contact: Aileen Blachowski, 949-292-5580, mediainfo@u4rf.org
ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 16, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Saturday, Oct. 20, just 17 days before Election Day, thousands of concerned Orange County citizens will gather at Angel Stadium to voice public opposition to the federal government's Health and Human Services Mandate. The HHS Mandate forces all employers -- including religious schools and hospitals -- to provide free surgical sterilizations, contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs through their health plans, regardless of religious or moral convictions.
Event Details:
What: Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally
When: Saturday, October 20, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (free parking, arrive early)
Where: Under the Big A at Angel Stadium, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, Calif., 92806,
Who: Thousands of local citizens opposed to the federal government's HHS Mandate
The Orange County Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally will begin at 3 p.m. under the halo of "The Big A" in the Angel stadium parking lot, joining more than 140 other cities and towns from coast to coast that are participating in this national event.
Saturday's guest speakers will include: Gil Mertz, Western Regional Director of Family Research Council, Legal expert and Dean Emeritus of Chapman Law School John Eastman, Miss America 2001 Angie Barraquio-Grey, Child advocate and former legal counsel for Harpo Productions Liz Yore, Director of Psychiatric Residency Training at UC Irvine Medical School Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, Santa Ana's Templo Calvario Pastor Lee, Immaculate Heart Radio CEO Doug Sherman, young adult pro-life leader Marian Jones, Catholic Physicians' Guild President Thomas McKenna, OC Vietnamese community leader Joachim Le, Radio host Jesse Romero and more are being confirmed.
The Supreme Court's ruling in June, which allowed the legislation to stand as a tax, has put this issue squarely in voters' hands. With Election Day only weeks away, the nationwide October 20 Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally is designed to keep voters' attention on this critical issue and help them identify candidates that best reflect their values. The event is expected to draw larger crowds than previous local rallies -- 4,000 are expected Saturday. In Anaheim, live entertainment, a parade and display of iconic Ford Mustangs, Shelby Cobra's and Harley Davidsons, information booths, voter registration and nearly a dozen local gourmet food trucks will add to the pre- and post-rally program.
"Jobs, the economy and foreign policy are all important issues, but something far more important is at stake in this election and it's the First Amendment," explained Aileen Blachowski, rally spokesperson. "If the federal government can force employers to choose between violating their deeply held religious and moral convictions or going out of business, then the founding American principle of religious freedom has been forfeited."
"The peoples' calls to the Obama administration to rescind the HHS Mandate have fallen on deaf ears and the Supreme Court has spoken on the issue," said Blachowski. "So, now, we call on the voters of Orange County to defend their religious freedom in the voting booth on Election Day."
The Orange County Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally has been organized by United 4 Religious Freedom, a united group of local volunteers, and will have logistical support provided by Santiago Retreat Center of Silverado Canyon, CA.
For more information please contact: Aileen Blachowski, (949) 292-5580, mediainfo@u4rf.org.
See also: www.u4rf.org for local rally info; www.StandUpRally.com for nationwide rally info.
