Contact: Martin Brown, 804-874-6706, martin@standamerica.us;
Sandy Adams, 757-375-6444; both with S.T.A.N.D.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 15, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Bishop E.W. Jackson, Harvard educated Attorney, Minister and last year's Virginia Republican Nominee for Lt. Governor has launched a national movement to protect Christians from "growing hostility, discrimination and anti-Christian bigotry." 
 
As part of a nationwide effort, Jackson is hosting a Unity Forum for Religious and Civil Rights with leading black ministers in the area. The event will be held at the Clarion Hotel, 925 S. University Ave., Little Rock, AR on Thursday, October 16 at 11 AM CDT, and conclude with a press conference at 1 PM. At the Press Conference, Bishop Jackson will explain the petition, and Arkansas ministers will express their concerns for the erosion of religious liberty and endorse a U.S. Senate candidate. 

Central to this movement is the Unity Petition for Religious and Civil Rights which will be presented to the new Congress with a demand for legislative relief. Jackson says, "Christians are being driven out of business, fired from their jobs, refused work and stigmatized for their sincerely held religious beliefs about the true nature of marriage. Just this week the Mayor of Houston subpoenaed the sermons of local pastors to see what they are saying about homosexuality in their pulpits. This is goes beyond there mere violation of the First Amendment, into authoritarian and totalitarian behavior. 

"Our churches, members, businesses and Christian organizations are under attack as haters and bigots merely for upholding Biblical marriage. This must stop."
  
The effort is being led by STAND (Staying True to America's National Destiny) where Jackson serves as President and CEO. Co-hosts of  the Arkansas event include Bishop Robert Smith of World Love Outreach Christian Center and Pastor Iverson Jackson of Zoe Bible Church, both in Little Rock; as well as Pastor Derick Easter of The New St. Hurricane Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. The Unity Petition includes a Pledge to Vote, and is supported by a coalition of organizations called Christians Vote.