March 28, 2012 at 5:45 a.m.
| Updated March 28, 2012 at 5:45 a.m.
More than an estimated 1,000 people, nearly all of them wearing red, crammed into the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday in Jefferson City. Their intent was to rally for religious liberty and protest President Barack Obama's policy requiring insurance companies to cover the costs to provide free birth control to women working at religious-affiliated institutions such as hospitals and colleges. Numerous religious leaders addressed the crowd, drawing cheers and loud applause and several "Amens" throughout the rally.
Thousands of believers filled the Missouri Capitol on Tuesday with shouts and cheers celebrating their religious freedom.
The recent federal healthcare mandate is the issue that has united Protestant denominations and Catholics.
"As a woman, I want to make sure everybody understands: This is not about women's issues at all," said Maggie Karner, director of life and health ministries for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, at a noon rally in the Rotunda.
The remark raised the largest audible response, bringing red-clad supporters to their feet.
