Nearly 500 people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul May 8 to speak out against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

“It’s moments like this that we realize what unites us as people of faith is much greater than what divides us,” said Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams of St. Paul and Minneapolis over cheers and clapping during the rally in the Capitol Rotunda, remarking on the turnout.

“We’re here as a diverse coalition, with people who believe that we have to fight to make room for God in our world and to protect our religious institutions. And I’m happy to do that,” he said in an interview.

Bishop Williams joined members of various metro area faith communities, state legislators, lawyers and the public in the Rotunda as Minnesota House legislators prepare to review the ERA’s new language, which has passed the Senate.

Introduced through SF37, with HF173 as its companion, the proposed new language under review states, in part: “All persons shall be guaranteed equal rights under the laws of this state. The state shall not discriminate against any person in intent or effect on account of race; color; national origin; ancestry; disability; or sex, including but not limited to: making and effectuating decisions about all matters relating to one’s own pregnancy or decision whether to become or remain pregnant; gender identity or gender expression; or sexual orientation.”

If ultimately passed by legislators, the ERA would be submitted to Minnesota voters as a ballot question during a general election year.

Proponents of the proposed ERA argue it would protect against basic forms of discrimination. While the proposed language to amend the Minnesota Constitution does protect people against a range of discrimination, the St. Paul-based Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) — which represents the public policy interests of the state’s Catholic bishops — has argued it goes beyond protecting against these basic forms.