(Des Moines, IA) Approximately 2,500 Iowans attended the “Rally for Religious Liberty” hosted by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) presidential campaign at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. Cruz, who is making religious liberty one of his primary issues, opened the stage to different victims of government persecution due to their refusal to violate their religious conscience in light of the LGBT agenda and same-sex marriage.

Betty & Dick Odgaard went on stage with Cruz to discuss how a complaint was filed against them because they refused to host a same-sex wedding ceremony at Gortz Haus in Grimes, IA. This led to a fine and the eventual closing of their businesses this summer because of lost income due to no longer hosting weddings as a result.

Also participating in a “heroes panel” was Barronelle Stutzman (a florist from Washington), Aaron & Melissa Klein (bakers from Oregon), Blaine Adamson (a t-shirt screen printer from Kentucky), Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Phillip Monk (USAF) and Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran (Georgia).

Cruz also spoke with Naghmeh Abedini the wife of Pastor Saeed Abedini who is being held captive in an Iranian prison due to his faith in Christ.

Watch the videos below:

Bryan English who is the Iowa State Director of the Ted Cruz for President campaign:

Mike Demastus, pastor of Ft. Des Moines Church of Christ, gave the opening prayer.

Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) also spoke:

Madison County Attorney Matt Schultz who is the Iowa Chair of Ted Cruz for President spoke:

Cruz offered some opening remarks:

Cruz spoke with Dick and Betty Odgaard about their experience:

Nationally syndicated radio host Steve Deace spoke with the “Heroes Panel” that consisted of: Barronelle Stutzman (Washington), Aaron & Melissa Klein (Oregon), Blaine Adamson (Kentucky), Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Phillip Monk (USAF) andFormer Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran (Georgia).

Deace gave some remarks of his own and explained why he was backing Cruz.

Cruz gave a keynote address to further discuss the topic of religious liberty:

Cruz spoke with Naghmeh Abedini and closed the rally in prayer. A concert by the NewsBoys followed the event.