In Birmingham, Alabama on Friday night, more than 1000 people gathered at Mayor Larry Langford's "sackcloth and ashes" prayer rally called to fight the worsening homicide rate in the city. The AP and the Birmingham News reported on the rally that featured prayers for forgiveness and sermons calling for the city to repent. Langford purchased 2000 burlap bags that were handed out at the event. He said the rally, held at the city-owned Boutwell Auditorium, was inspired by the Book of Jonah (see Chap. 3). This is the third prayer rally Langford has called to deal with crime in Birmingham. The Alabama ACLU is looking at the church-state issues involved.
UPDATE: Here is the full text of the mayor's Proclamation declaring the day for prayer in sackcloth and ashes. [Thanks to Dispatches From the Culture Wars for the lead.]
