Louisville, KY - Notes from the Freedom and Faith Rally

On Friday night, my husband decided he didn't want to go to Louisville on Sunday so I thought I would have to live vicariously through others attending the function. But then Kos fate jumped in and another Kossack from Nashville, Meg posted a comment offering to share a ride to Louisville. Yeah! We chatted for a while Saturday afternoon (I quickly decided that she wasn't a radical Republican who was going to shoot me and drop me in the woods somewhere off I-65) and we made our plans. We left at 9:30am and the trip up was just two liberal gals chatting to our hearts content with bathroom stops, caffeine and Taco Bell to interrupt us along the way.

We got into Louisville about 2:00pm. The event was held at the beautiful Central Presbyterian Church on Kentucky Ave.

As we approached the church we saw Jim Wallis being interviewed by FOX, don't know if it was national or local affiliate. We sat in the third row on the left, of course, and the seats around us quickly filled. Before long the upper balconey on the right was filled with the Voices of Kentuckiana and the left and rear with more participants. People had brought various signs as seen below:
George Latkoff must have helped design the blue and white banner backdrop which had the "Freedom and Faith" phrase in big bold letters at the top and then in smaller lettering, the phrase was repeated on the rest of the banner. Lots of press were in attendance with 6 TV cameras in the back, 3 in the front, reporters milling about and print photogs snapping pics. Both a reporter from the NY times and LA Times were querying audience members before the rally began. By 2:30pm the church was filled to capacity with people sitting on the steps up to the balcony, standing along the walls of the church, waiting in the vestibule and then spilling outside, down the steps.

The Welcome was conducted by Glenn W Smith, author of The Politics of Deceit and Director of DriveDemocracy.org He was followed by Voices of Kentuckiana singing an acapella version of This is My Country.
I hope I don't misattribute any of the summaries below. If anyone else was there, feel free to make additions and corrections. I would love to find a transcript of the event. I was trying to write, take pictures and applaud at the same time. The following list is of the order of the speakers and just a brief summary of what they spoke about:

Introduction by: Rev. Al Pennybacker, Chairman, Exec. Director of Clergy & Laity Network - http://www.clnnlc.org/

Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, Executive Director, Kentucky Council of Churches - emphasized the commandment Thou Shall Not Bear False Witness and that this country is not a Theocracy but a Democracy.

Rev. Dr. William Kincaid President, Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass- spoke of moving the fence to include others and all religions needing each other to find the deeper meaning of Truth.

Honorable Jonathan Miller, Teacher, Temple Adath Israel's Hebrew School in Lexington, KY - (he must have read Dhonig's thread last week) He told the story of Hilell and the message of compassion. He also said that Frist needed to learn about it.  

Rev. Emily Whitehurst, Director Austin (TX) Area Interreligious Ministries, Austin TX - She said even Christians can't agree on the life of Jesus as shown in Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Rev. Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics, Editor of Sojourners Magazine,(and Daily Show Guest) - This is a calling to all Liberal/Progressive Christians to take our Faith back! Religion is the bridge that brings us all together. His moral values include helping the 33 million in poverty, protecting the environment and being told the truth about War. I think this is a great photo of him with his steel blue eyes looking upwards towards a Higher Power:

Rev. Dr. Joe Phelps, Pastor Highland BAPTIST Church in Louisville, KY - (He has taken much criticism from some Baptists in Louisville for speaking out against Justice Sunday) "Jesus Christ is not a slogan!" he stated to much applause.

Rev. Canon Lucinda Laird, Rector St. Matthews Episcopal Church, St. Matthews KY - Stressed the commandment "Do unto others as they would do unto you". And those who have started the war and created the divisiveness of the country "Do not speak for me".

Rev. Dr. Charles Gutenson, Professor of Theology & Philosophy, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY - He has read the entire bible many times and it says nothing about Pres. Bush, judicial nominations, preference for the wealthy, nor blessed be the war makers. Mentioned the bankruptcy bill hurting the poor in the country that we, as Christians, are supposed to help.

Rev. Dr. Joan Campbell, Director, Dept. of Religion, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY. - We cannot remain silent any longer, because silence is betrayal! This administration has been busy exporting democracy because it is too hard for them to maintain democracy at home.

All of these speeches were interrupted with rounds of applause and many received standing ovations. (I kept thinking I was at a Springsteen concert and waited for a surprise appearance from Clarence Clemmons playing his sax.... but, I digress.) The Voices of Kentuckiana closed with This Land is Your Land sung with everyone in attendance.

Outside of the church, Meg and I were finally able to meet up with Dhonig author of The Pulse now appearing at MyDD , and his family. We then went to the Old Jefferson County Courthouse for a political rally sponsored by the Jefferson County Democratic Party. Speakers included: State Senator Julian Carroll, Jonathan Miller (in his other professional hat) KY State Treasurer, Eleanor Jordan- Fmr. KY General Assembly, Michael O'Connell - Retired County Circuit Judge and Jerry Lundergan - KY Democratic Chair. They were well organized, filling the steps going up to the courthouse and most had signs.

Here are a couple of pics (my personal favorite Frist is a blockhead):

Then after braving the cold blustery winds, we were off in search of coffee and Robin (Dhonig's wife) needed cheesecake. Starbucks was closed, Borders was closing as we walked in, and finally we were able to sit down to grab a cup of coffee and desert at TGI Fridays. Here is our picture:
  Me, Meg, The Honig's Josh, David, Robin and due May 11th, another Honig. [Update]Great article in the Courier-Journal; Rally Rebuts GOP.