Moore Press Conference Features Anti-Abortion, Anti-LGBT Speakers

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A bevy of speakers who support Roy Moore — few of them Alabama voters, however — stood at the podium for a press conference hosted by Faith2Action. The overwhelming sentiment from the speakers seemed to center on Moore's stance against abortion and LGBT rights. Terms such as "homosexualist gay terrorism" and "LGBT mafia" were used to describe Moore's opponents, as other speakers preceded Moore's brief speech.

Moore has been accused by eight women of sexual misconduct, ranging from harassment to sexual assault. Moore said in response to those calling for him to step down from the Alabama race, "I'll tell you who needs to step down, that's Mitch McConnell."

Moore added, "There's been comments about me taking a stand," said Moore, adding, "I'll quit standing when they lay me on that box and put me in the ground."

Moore thanked supporters for their words, and addressed the mounting allegations against him, calling them "untrue" and slammed them as having "no evidence to support them."

He said when he first decided to run, he wanted to see unity, and joked that he has unified Democrats and Republicans because they both want him not to run. Moore denied all of the claims against him by women alleging sexual misconduct. He said the allegations have prevented him being able to discuss "the issues."

However, Moore has refused to debate Jones throughout the race, and has often walked away from reporters who have asked him questions on issues. When Moore opened the floor to questions during the presser, he refused to answer any questions about the allegations of sexual misconduct. Two reporters asked questions related to the allegations, so Moore left the podium and walked off the stage.

Several speakers, including Faith2Action president Janet Porter, said all of the accusations of sexual misconduct are untrue and reiterated Moore's statements that the accusations are a politically-motivated attack. Porter went on to say that Moore's opponent, Democrat Doug Jones, is pro-abortion. He also described a late-term abortion (stabbing a fetus in the back of the neck and "sucking out its brain") in detail and said Jones supports late-term abortions.

So far in his campaign, Jones has not voiced support for changing laws that ban late-term abortions. And in a recent interview with Alabama Media Group, he said, "...the law for decades has been that late-term procedures are generally restricted except in the case of medical necessity. That's what I support. I don't see any changes in that. It is a personal decision."

Andy Schlafly, son of late activist Phyllis Schlafly, said his mother supported Moore, and he also supports him based primarily on his anti-abortion stance. "The closer we come to overturning Roe v. Wade," he said, "the more opposition we face."

Another speaker, Baruch College professor Joel Brind, said Democrats support child predators because young women often get abortions after being impregnated by child predators. "When a 13-year-old girl goes to Planned Parenthood, who do you think made her go there? What do you think she needs an abortion for, if not to destroy the evidence of child predator attacks."

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter praised Moore's opposition to LGBT rights, and said we need Moore in the Senate to face off against "gay terrorists." He said Moore has inspired many people because he "fights for God's law."

Porter ended the press conference by saying the presser was "Probably more church than any of you have gotten in the last 10 years."

Moore's latest accusers, as reported by The Washington Post, involve Gena Richardson and Becky Gray, who both said Moore pursued them when they were teenagers. Richardson said Moore even called her high school and asked to get her out of class.

The election is Dec. 12, and polls show Jones has taken a slight lead over Moore since the allegations came to light.

Also See: Moore: McConnell Trying To 'Steal This Election'

Photo credit: Brynn Anderson/Associated Press