Yes, we went back to Des Moines for another rally at the capitol on Monday, April 13th.  Norman went with us this time, so it was a pleasant family outing.

Instead of writing it up this time, however, I’ll just copy the email that Justin LaVan (legislative liaison for Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators - NICHE) wrote up and sent to all of us...

“The Marriage Rally web page is up on the web.

www.homeschooliowa.org/localandnationalnews/marriagerally.html

The article below is a follow-up report on Monday's rally to stop homosexual marriage.

You can view a slide show of the event at the NICHE website:

www.homeschooliowa.org

More photos will be added, so check back again tomorrow, too!

Hundreds of Iowans from all parts of the state - including countless homeschooling families with children of all ages - braved the cold, rainy weather and gathered on the steps of the Capitol April 13. Their mission? To urge legislators to enforce the existing law, which states, “Only a marriage between a male and a female is valid.” [Iowa Code 595.2(1)]

The rally was spearheaded by Everyday America and cosponsored by a number of organizations, including The Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE).

Everyday America founder Bill Salier challenged those in attendance to demand their legislators and the governor restore the balance of power by recognizing that a court opinion does not automatically override existing law, and our elected officials must not submit to activist courts.

Salier also hailed the marriage amendment as the long-term solution that will prevent courts from future attempts to usurp Iowa law regarding marriage. In the meantime, the governor also has the responsibility, Salier emphasized, to issue an executive order preventing same-sex marriage licenses from being issued because they are prohibited by existing Iowa law.

The clear message to the Legislature and governor resounded from multiple speakers: Enforce the existing law on marriage and let the people vote on a Constitutional amendment, or you'll be replaced in the next election cycle.

Other sponsoring organizations joined Everyday America in rallying for traditional marriage, with speakers representing their respective groups.

Justin LaVan, legislative liaison for the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE), addressed the crowd with a biblical analysis, showing how the Iowa Supreme Court has usurped God's authority and instead of being custodians of God's law the Court has declared itself sovereign over marriage, issuing opinions that violate God's institution of marriage.

Gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats declared at the rally and in a post-rally press release that if he were governor today, he would issue an executive order to “stay” same-sex marriages, until the people of Iowa had an opportunity to vote on a Constitutional Amendment, and he challenged Gov. Culver to do the same.

Several other speakers delivered powerful messages at the rally, including Tamara Scott, Iowa director for Concerned Women for America; Bradley Cranston, a Burlington pastor and president of Iowa Baptists for Biblical Values; Chuck Walsh of the American Independent Party of Iowa; Chuck Hurley, president of the Iowa Family Policy Center; and former Sen. Kitty Rehberg, state president of Iowa Eagle Forum and co-founder of Everyday America. Iowa Christian Alliance also was a sponsor of the event.

Following 90 minutes of rousing speeches, the powerful citizen lobby of families and individuals mounted the steps to the Capitol, waited patiently through the long security lines and then spent the afternoon calling out legislators.

The rotunda was tightly packed with citizens opposed to government-endorsed homosexual marriage - more crowded than it's ever been for any issue, observed one longtime Capitol building worker. The wall-to-wall people (even more crowded than NICHE's 850-strong Homeschool Day at the Capitol last month) created ideal opportunities to engage legislators as they squeezed through the myriad of citizens in their path to leave or enter their chambers.

The passionate, firm, respectful and unwavering challenges from countless faithful, committed families - adults and children, from districts all over the state - sent a strong message to our elected officials that resonated throughout the Capitol: “We the people” are righteously angry and we aren't going to stand for God's institution of marriage being descrated.”

Those of you who weren't able to attend, but prayed for God's hand to be upon the efforts, are a huge blessing and a mighty force for righteousness.

Thank you to everyone who abandoned your plans and stood at the Capitol April 13, or kneeled in prayer at your home, lifting our leaders in prayer to our Lord.

The battle continues, so the presence and prayer must continue, as God leads.

May God be glorified through it all.”