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Evangelist at Va. Capitol rally: This election is about Supreme Court

Posted at 1:52 PM, Oct 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-12 17:54:25-04

RICHMOND, Va. – On Wednesday, thousands flooded the Capitol grounds for a prayer rally, led by evangelist Franklin Graham.

The Decision America tour has traveled around the country and plans to make a stop in all 50 states, with the stop here in Richmond being the tour's 49th.

Graham's tour, which does not make a specific party affiliation, encourages Christians to pray for America and its leaders. Graham uses these events on his cross-country tour to challenge crowds to vote in November. However, he does not tell them who they should vote for, at least not by name.

“The only hope for this country is God,” said Graham.

While not naming Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, Graham's message was aimed at conservatives and what they stand for when it comes to abortion, same-sex marriage and freedom of religion.

Graham believes this election is about one thing that could affect all of those issues.

“It`s not about Wikileaks or emails that are lost, it`s not about one’s crude language,” added Graham.  “This election is about the Supreme Court and many people in media don`t want you to think about that.”

Currently, the Supreme Court is split.  The next president could tilt the balance to either continue a conservative run or start a new era of a liberal majority.

Voters like Karin Trask said that is why this election is so important.

“I think the true hope is in the spirit of the Lord so that people will pray and seek God`s wisdom in their vote,” said Trask.

Virginia progressives point out that the election is crucial for determining the direction of the country.

"For months, conservatives in Washington, D.C. have taken unprecedented steps to hold open a Supreme Court seat and refused to do their constitutional duty," said Anna Scholl, executive director of Progress Virginia. "While Republicans are disavowing Donald Trump in the wake of his horrendous remarks bragging about sexually assaulting women, they are still holding open this Supreme Court seat in the hopes that Trump will fill it as president."

"Virginians overwhelmingly support equality for our LGBTQ friends and family, access to reproductive health care for women, and rights on the job for working families and we'll remember those values when we cast our ballots on November," she added.

Graham said he has no plans to endorse a candidate and people should vote on the values of each party.

More than 186,000 followers have attended the prayer rallies with another 200,000 viewing the events online.

Folks gathered for music by Dennis Agajanian, ahead of a speech and group prayer.

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