Religious leaders call out Perry on 'Response' event
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Crews are hard at work at Reliant Stadium in Houston preparing for Gov. Rick Perry’s nationwide prayer event, “The Response.”
The event has sparked controversy among political critics, but on Friday, area religious leaders were calling out the governor.
“He is not pastoring a church called the Lone Star State," Rev. Barry Lynn with Americans United for Separation of Church and State said. "I’m disappointed that any governor could conceive and then orchestrate an event like this. Governors are indeed all elected officials, from mayors of small towns, to the President of the United States, should be respectful of the differences of their constituents and seek inclusion."
Lynn was joined by Mustafaa Carroll, a council member for American Islamic Relations during a protest Friday hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union. They believe Gov. Perry is overstepping his political boundaries.
"He is expected and required to uphold the constitution and should take care and not to muddy the waters if it were," Carroll said. "By being exclusive, the governor missed a golden opportunity to show true leadership by uniting all of the people of Texas around common concerns for the well being of America."
Despite push back, there are still thousands expected to flood Reliant Stadium Saturday.
Angela Baird is one of the many already in town attending pre-events. She came with her prayer group from Kansas City, MO.
"I didn't think I could miss it," she said. "I think it's not surprising, I think when you take a stand for Jesus and for something truthful people are going to be upset."
Baird says she plans to spend Friday praying over the venue before the event.