On January 24, Gov. Bobby Jindal will host a prayer rally, officially called The Response, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jindal hopes to use this prayer rally to address America, which the Response website says is “in the midst of a crisis.”
In addition to prayer, the rally will include time for “worship, fasting, repentance,” and a speech by Jindal.
The rally, which is sponsored by the conservative Christian group American Family Association (AFA), has drawn polarizing responses from people in the University community as well as all over the nation.
AFA President Tim Wildmon said in a December press release that the rally’s purpose is to pray for a nation that “has lost its moral foundation and is suffering from a crisis of faith.”
Here is everything you need to know leading up to Saturday’s event:
1. Texas Gov. Rick Perry hosted a similar event in 2011
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas hosted an event almost identical to the prayer rally happening at LSU on Saturday. In addition to being financed by the American Family Association, Perry’s rally also addressed a “nation in crisis.”
Shortly after his rally, Perry announced he would be running for President of the United States which has led people to expect a similar announcement from Gov. Bobby Jindal.
2. The American Family Association has a controversial past
The AFA is a religious organization that is known for its politically conservative views.
The AFA website states that the mission of this organization is “to inform, equip, and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture.”
This organization is often known for opposing LGBT rights and calling out public figures and companies that they consider inappropriate.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the AFA is considered a hate group due to their anti-LGBT stance. The organization responded to this label by stating their views on homosexuality as well as attempting to discredit the SPLC.
Click here to see a timeline of the American Family Association.
3. An anti-abortion march is happening in partnership with the rally
On Wednesday it was announced that Governor Bobby Jindal would align his prayer rally with the annual Louisiana Right To Life anti-abortion march.
The march will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Greek Amphitheater and will feature a speech by Jindal before he is scheduled to speak at the rally.
4. There are on-campus protests planned to counteract the rally
Students and faculty have joined forces to coordinate a protest against the prayer rally.
What they are calling, “Organize, Reflect, Act: A Day of Action for Justice in Louisiana,” hopes to show the public that what is happening at the rally does not reflect the views of the LSU community as a whole.
The protest will begin at the Memorial Bell Tower at 9 a.m.
Click here for more information.
5. Board of Supervisors member supports the rally
The University has seen members of its community on either side of the rally.
Board of Supervisors member Rolfe McCollister supports the prayer rally according to an email statement by his assistant. McCollister was appointed by Jindal in 2012.
The Board of Supervisors approved the AFA’s request to use the PMAC in October 2014.
6. Faculty Senate opposes the rally
Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope has spoken publicly multiple times stating his opposition of the prayer rally being held on the University campus.
Cope made an appearance on cable news network MSNBC to speak out about the event:
On Thursday, the Faculty Senate approved a resolution 15-1 stating their discontent with the prayer rally.
For continuous coverage of the prayer rally, visit www.lsureveille.com/theresponse and follow us on Twitter at @LSUReveilleNow.
Everything you need to know about Bobby Jindal’s Prayer Rally
By Aggi Ashagre
January 23, 2015
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