Before you goSign up for our free newsletter!Keep up to date with what's going on in the Catholic world HomeNewsLocal News Local News Video and Photos: Minnesotans rally for religious freedom Dave Hrbacek June 8, 2012 1 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Caitlin Heaney, right (holding blue sign), and her sister, Elizabeth, show their support for religious freedom at the "Twin Cities Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally" in downtown Minneapolis June 8. They are both students at the University of St. Thomas and members of Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul. Their mother, Anne Maloney, was one of the event's featured speakers. An estimated 2,000 people attended the noontime rally, one of 164 held in cities around the United States. It was organized by the Minnesota Catholic Conference and Pro-Life Action Ministries to voice public opposition to the federal Department of Health and Human Services' mandate on contraceptive coverage. A similar rally was held in March in St. Paul. Teresa Borer of St. Peter in North St. Paul gives strong verbal agreement with the messages delivered by speakers at the rally. Matt Birk, former player for the Minnesota Vikings and graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, delivers his support for religious freedom at the rally. He also spoke at a gathering for Catholic men earlier that day. Birk currently plays center for the Baltimore Ravens. Bishop John LeVoir of New Ulm gives an address after leading prayer at the rally. - Advertisement - Nancy Macht of Assumption in Eden Valley, in the Diocese of St. Cloud, shows her support for religious freedom. FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Previous articleMore tools in the stewardship toolkit nowNext articleMarried couples give ‘light for everyone’ to see, bishop says at Marriage Day celebration Related Articles Vatican warns of potential religious freedom violation in court case Halfway point: Key issues come into focus MCC circulates petition urging legislators to restore religious exemption protections in the MHRA Only Jesus Family meals and the rosary SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER Sign Me Up - Advertisement - - Advertisement - Trending - Advertisement - - Advertisement - 12,743FansLike1,478FollowersFollow6,479FollowersFollow35,922FollowersFollow583SubscribersSubscribe - Advertisement -