News Release: Citizens to Rally for Traditional Marriage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Little Rock, Ark. – On Wednesday, November 19, at 11:00 AM Arkansans will gather on the steps of the Arkansas Capitol Building in Little Rock to rally in support of traditional marriage. The rally comes on the eve of oral arguments at the Arkansas Supreme Court concerning the fate of the state’s Defense of Marriage Act and the 2004 Arkansas Marriage Amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Speakers at the rally will include Josh Duggar of Family Research Council Action; Jerry Cox of Family Council; State Senator Bart Hester; State Representative Bob Ballinger; Pastor Happy Caldwell of Victory Television Network; and Pastor Derick Easter of New St. Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff.

In May Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza struck down the state’s marriage laws. Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement ahead of the rally, saying, “We are gathering to ask the Arkansas Supreme Court to honor our vote. Arkansans voted overwhelmingly to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The question before the court is who gets to make the laws in Arkansas: The voters or one judge in Little Rock?”

Cox said he believes Americans are tired of judges overriding voters. “Our government is supposed to be of the people by the people for the people. That applies to every branch of government, including the judicial branch. A few folks have begun calling for a new law allowing voters to recall a judge in the middle of a term if they don’t like how that judge has ruled. If the Arkansas Supreme Court chooses to ignore all the voters who believe marriage ought to be between a man and a woman, I would expect those calls for judicial reform to intensify.”

Cox said he hopes the Arkansas Supreme Court will respect the will of the people by upholding the state’s marriage laws. “Nearly one in ten voters signed the petition to put the Arkansas Marriage Amendment on the ballot in 2004. Seventy-five percent of voters voted for it. Ten years later, most Arkansans still believe marriage ought to be between one man and one woman. I hope the state Supreme Court respects voters enough to uphold the amendment Arkansans worked so hard to pass.”

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The Standard

The following is by Family Council team member Charisse Dean.

Have you ever tried to draw a straight line on a blank piece of paper without a guide like a ruler? The inevitable result is always a crooked line. No matter how many times you try and no matter how steady you hold the pencil, even if by the naked eye it seems to be straight, when held to a true and straight standard, it will never be quite right.

Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines a standard as “something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example.” The Word of God provides a guide for everything that concerns us from our personal lives and family to our society and government.

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Come to a Rally for Traditional Marriage on November 19!

capitol3-1Are you ready to make your voice heard to the Arkansas Supreme Court about the sanctity of marriage?

Are you tired of judges running roughshod over the will of Arkansas’ voters?

If you are, then I want to invite you to an important rally on the Capitol Steps in Little Rock one week from today.

On Wednesday, November 19, at 11:00 AM Arkansans will rally in support of traditional marriage. This is an opportunity for everyone—especially ministers—to make their voices heard in saying marriage in Arkansas should remain the union of one man and one woman.

Last May, Judge Chris Piazza struck down the state’s laws defining marriage. His decision was appealed, and the case now rests in the hands of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Next week, the court will hear oral arguments on the case, and they will decide who gets to define marriage: The People or one judge in Little Rock. This rally is your opportunity to take a stand for marriage.

I hope you will make plans to join us next week. For additional details and to pre-register for free for the rally, please go to www.HonorOurVoteAR.com. And be sure to forward this message to the ministers at your church and your friends so they can join us as well.

The rally will take place on the Capitol Steps in downtown Little Rock at 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 19. If you need directions or would like additional information, please contact our office at (501) 375-7000.

I hope to see you there!