Look: Thousands Protest Anti-Gay ‘Religious Freedom’ Law At Indiana Statehouse (Photos)
An estimated 3000 people from all walks of life joined together to protest an anti-LGBT law disguised as “religious freedom” legislation.
Ever since Indiana lawmakers passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act on Monday, calls denouncing it have grown increasingly louder – and more effective. Despite criticism from local citizens, legal experts, and corporations that do business in Indiana, Republican Governor Mike Pence decided to sign the discriminatory legislation into law in a private ceremony, surrounded by local religious leaders on Thursday.
That’s when, excuse the phrase, all hell broke loose.
Within hours, major companies were warning they would pull back investments in Indiana and ban employee travel to the state. Within a day, everyone from the White House to the City of San Francisco, to Broadway’s Audra McDonald, to Hillary Clinton spoke out against the new anti-gay law.
LISTEN: Indiana Restaurant Owner Says He Discriminates Against Gays, Glad The Law Supports Him Now
Not only those notables, but Indiana-based Angie’s List, Apple, Inc.’s Tim Cook, the City of Seattle,$4 billion software firm Salesforce, $50 million annual gaming convention Gen Con, Fortune 500 member Cummins, Eskenazi Health, Eli Lilly and Co., Yelp, George Takei, Pat McAfee, Jason Collins, Ashton Kutcher, Miley Cyrus, James Van Der Beek, Sophia Bush, Dustin Lance Black, Mara Wilson, Jack Antonoff, the Mayor of Indianapolis, and the State of Indiana’s own tourism board, and many, many others have all voiced upset, anger, and frustration, or decided to take action to protect employees, in response to the law.
On Saturday afternoon, about 3000 citizens, gay, straight, Black, white, Republican, Democratic, secular, religious, joined together in a rally to support the LGBT community – seen as the target of the law – and to denounce lawmakers and Governor Pence for enabling and promoting discrimination.
Crowd continues to grow as @ZachAdamson steps up to speak. #WeAreIndiana #AllAreWelcome pic.twitter.com/3imUZGvEON
— Indy Feminists (@IndyFeminists) March 28, 2015
#AllAreWelcome rally! Help us fight the arrogant GOP! Contribute today! http://t.co/8ocLUweIVn we won’t back down! pic.twitter.com/OYPNEmjpma
— jmiller (@joelocrat) March 28, 2015
Life long Dem and Life long Republican! In Indiana #AllAreWelcome pic.twitter.com/8yT0a18jNk
— Black AsEver (@BlackAsEver) March 28, 2015
My privilege to speak to the #allarewelcome rally against #RFRA. Keep the momentum going pic.twitter.com/kXKxv7HV3n
— Tim DeLaney (@ETimDeLaney) March 28, 2015
Hoosiers know #RFRA is unjust. This discrimination will not stand. #forwardtogether pic.twitter.com/3C7otO1kGR
— Indiana MoralMondays (@MoralMondayIN) March 28, 2015
So annoyed with all things #RFRA right now, but amazed at the turnout for today’s rally against it. #AllAreWelcome pic.twitter.com/nYibkstxML
— Erika D. Smith (@Erika_D_Smith) March 28, 2015
Panoramic shot of THOUSANDS at #RFRA rally in Indy. @CBS4Indy @FOX59 pic.twitter.com/3NzO2TpSVD
— Shannon Houser (@Shannon_Houser) March 28, 2015
“Hoosiers have suffered too long on this issue.” #RFRA pic.twitter.com/xJgvcFDI7D
— Shannon Houser (@Shannon_Houser) March 28, 2015
#RFRA rally organizer says she has 2 goals: 1)bring people together 2)get people to vote pic.twitter.com/dusDO2Da4R
— Shannon Houser (@Shannon_Houser) March 28, 2015
A lot of families with children at #RFRA rally. Parents say they want their children to learn a lesson from this pic.twitter.com/0OudFltxL1
— Shannon Houser (@Shannon_Houser) March 28, 2015
More than 3,000 people expected here at #RFRA rally at statehouse pic.twitter.com/NGMZPK249A
— Shannon Houser (@Shannon_Houser) March 28, 2015
Jesus is with us. #weareindiana #AllAreWelcome pic.twitter.com/gDanXVHbA7
— Leah B. (@RadRedneckDiva) March 28, 2015
@IndyFeminists @ircrc are here! #AllAreWelcome no to#RFRA pic.twitter.com/g4gi4B8MCN
— Carolyn Meagher (@MeagherCarolyn) March 28, 2015
One of the many marchers adamant about effecting change in #Indiana during #AntiRFRA rally #AllAreWelcome @rtv6 pic.twitter.com/ytkkXp74IG
— Eric Cox (@EricRTV6) March 28, 2015
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Image, top, by Shannon Houser via Twitter
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