IOWA: Ted Cruz Hosts Martyred Anti-Gay Business Owners At “Religious Freedom” Rally Attended By 2500 [VIDEO]

The martyred Iowa couple who plan to erect 1000 anti-gay billboards across the nation took center stage at a Ted Cruz “religious freedom” rally attended by thousands on Friday night. CNN reports:

A crowd of over 2,500 men, women and young children turned out for the three-plus hour event. Upon arrival at the venue, guests received Ted Cruz Pocket Constitutions, Cruz stickers, mini-American flags emblazoned with “Courageous Conservatives for Cruz,” bracelets reading “Marriage = 1 man + 1 woman,” and, for younger attendees, Ted Cruz coloring books. Cards and pens were placed on the seat of every chair to sign up attendees to commit to caucus for Cruz, a vital step in campaign organizing here in Iowa. Cruz spoke about his experience defending freedom of religion at the Supreme Court and what he said were the threats facing religious liberty. “These threats have been growing, they have been growing for decades but never have the threats been greater to religious liberty than they are right here and now today,” he said. “These threats are not imagined, they’re not made up. These are real people leading real lives who found themselves facing persecution simply for living out their faith. There is a war on faith in America today.” Audience members frequently murmured “Amen” as Cruz spoke.

The above-linked story contains this really stupid line: “Iowans Dick and Betty Odgaard lost their wedding business for their refusal to hold a same-sex marriage.” What CNN should have written: “Iowans Dick and Betty Odgaard voluntarily closed their business rather than comply with state law.”