News of Mayor Kasim Reed’s decision to terminate Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran has gone national, with stories appearing in most major newspapers – including the New York Times – and its even been trending on Facebook.
Cochran was fired from the Atlanta Fire Department earlier this month for handing out a self-published book, “Who Told You That You Were Naked?”, that condemns homosexuality. Since his firing, Cochran has become the face of the “religious freedom” movement, which hopes to see a controversial bill passed during this year’s legislative session that would allow business owners to deny service to anyone they felt violated their religious beliefs. A similar bill was defeated last year after major companies like Coca-Cola, Delta and Home Depot, along with civil rights organizations and the LGBT community, called the bill discriminatory.
According to our media affiliate CBS46, a rally in support of Cochran is planned today, Jan. 13, at 1:30 p.m. at the Georgia State Capitol. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, and Dr. Alveda King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s niece, among others will speak at the event, offering support for Cochran and defending his first amendment right to free speech and religious liberty. Cochran is also expected to make remarks.