Family Research Council's Tony Perkins to Join Atlanta Rally in Support of Fired Fire Chief

Nearly 28,000 petitions gathered in support of Chief, Religious Freedom

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Jan 12, 2015, 06:25 ET

ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tomorrow, Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins will join Atlanta area pastors and religious liberty advocates at a rally in support of former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran. Cochran was suspended and then fired because of a book he wrote for a men's Bible study group at his Baptist church.

The "Standing for our Faith Rally" is scheduled to take place at the Georgia Capitol Rotunda at 1:30 p.m. FRC has gathered nearly 28,000 petitions over the last few days protesting the overreach of government authority that resulted in the Chief's firing.

"The idea that the government can force public servants to surrender their First Amendment rights is outrageous," said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins.

"If a government will fire someone for their religious beliefs, no beliefs are safe from government regardless of how sacred those beliefs may be. Mayor Reed is sending a very clear message that Christians must check their faith at the door of public service.

"Increasingly, the expectation seems to be that anyone in public service shouldn't serve in Sunday school, lead Bible studies, write books, or believe anything contrary to government dictates. I stand with Chief Cochran, Atlanta pastors and all those who cherish our constitutional freedoms of speech and religious freedom," concluded Perkins.

WHO: Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council
WHAT: Standing for Our Faith Rally
WHERE: Georgia Capitol Rotunda
WHEN: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM ET Tuesday, January 13, 2015

SOURCE Family Research Council