Notoriously Persecuted': Hundreds of Christians March Across Brooklyn Bridge to Protest NYC Church Ban

Christians aren't taking New York City's ban on churches meeting in public schools lightly. On Sunday, hundreds of religious leaders, politicians and individuals who stand firmly opposed to the now-infamous church crackdown joined together to march across the Brooklyn Bridge.

This was the largest show of support against the law that will take effect unless Mayor Michael Bloomberg or state officials intervene before Feb. 12. If the regulation isn't overturned, at least 60 churches will be homeless as of next month. A previous protest earlier in January on the steps of Manhattan's Tweed Courthouse featured strong-worded rhetoric. In previous events held against the ban, pastors were arrested.

As they marched across the bridge in their latest attempt to see the law banished, the group chanted, "Freedom to worship, that's what we want!" CBS News has more regarding what participants and speakers had to say at the event:

“We are here to tell Mayor Bloomberg, I mean we are going to have 60 churches homeless and that’s not Christ-like,” said Bronx Pastor Sal Sabino of the Heavenly Region Christian Center.

“The church has been notoriously persecuted since its inception so I’m not surprised but we’re not going to stay quiet we’re going to speak out and say this is what the foundation of America is built upon,” said Roseann Kytka of Ascencion Presbyterian Church, which meets at P.S. 101 in Forest Hills.

Watch more footage from the march, courtesy of WNYW-TV, below:

As we've reported, Bronx Councilman and pastor Fernando Cabrera has some legislative plans up his sleeve. The councilman is leading the charge to champion Resolution #1155, which would call upon the New York State legislature to pass legislation what would amend education law to allow churches access to school property. In the New York Assembly, the related bill is #A8800 and in the State Senate it is #S6047.

The timing of the march was important, as the state may take up the issue this week. There were no arrests during the match.