An estimated 100,000 evangelical
Christians marched Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to protest a
ruling that effectively legalizes gay marriage in the nation.
According
to the AFP, the demonstrators ended their march at the Cinelandia
square, where pastors spoke out against such unions and the faithful
prayed. Gospel singers such as Marcelo Aguiar and Bruna Karla and
the rap group Ao Cubo were among those who performed at the annual
March for Jesus (Marcha para Jesus).
Several elected officials appeared at
the event, including Mayor Eduardo Paes.
“We say no to sin, no to corruption,
no to homosexuality,” a participant was quoted as saying. “We
say yes to Jesus.”
The ruling, handed down earlier this
month by the National Council of Justice, says notary publics cannot
deny a gay couple's request for a marriage license. Claiming that
the ruling was unconstitutional because Congress has not legalized
marriage equality, Brazil's conservative Social Christian Party has
legally challenged the decision.