RAINBOW CITY, Ala. — The small Alabama town of Rainbow city will be hosting an event Friday night to support law enforcement officials in light of the attack on police officers in Dallas, Texas. Held at Rainbow City’s town hall, the night of prayer and thanks will start at 7:45 PM.
On Thursday night, five police officers were shot and killed in a sniper-like attack in Dallas. The killings occurred at the same time as a protest against the use of deadly force by police against African-Americans and immediately fueled an already divisive national debate.
In Rainbow City, police officers and any other first responders in attendance will be considered honored guests for the night. The event will feature prayer time for the recent victims of violence and a singing of “God Bless America.”
Rainbow City representative Mack Butler (R) advertised the event on his Facebook page.
“[It is] to show support for our law enforcement officers and first responders, to pray for the families of our fallen law enforcement brothers in Dallas, to pray for our nation and ask God to heal our land. Please come tonight and join us as we pray and sing for God to Bless America. We hope to send a message from Northeast Alabama that will reverberate across the nation,” he wrote.
This is not the fist time Butler or Rainbow City have hosted a support event like this. Back in December of 2014, the town was targeted by an out-of-sate atheist group called The Freedom From Religion foundation that was seeking to remove the local nativity scene. Public support for the Nativity scene was so overwhelming that local church leaders organized a “Rally at the Manger” that was attended by hundreds of local residents in spite of the frigid weather.
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“This is ‘Rainbow City,’ a city with a name that indicates (the) promise (from) Genesis 9:13, ‘I will set my bow in the clouds as a covenant between me and the earth,’ State Sen. Phil Williams, who represents the town in the Alabama Senate, said. “The so-called ‘Freedom From Religion’ foundation is welcome to stay in Wisconsin and avoid being offended.”
“The Freedom From Religion Group from Wisconsin has strengthened the faith of our community,” said Rep. Butler (R-Rainbow City).
“I’m thankful to be a Christian,” added Rainbow City Mayor Terry John Calhoun. “I’m honored to be your mayor. And as long as I’m mayor, I’m not removing that manger scene.”
Unlike the previous event, tonight’s is not Rainbow City-specific. Anyone supporting law enforcement is encouraged by officials to attend.
