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Christian group's poetry protest Christian group's poetry protest
(21 minutes later)
Around 250 Christian activists are protesting outside the Welsh assembly building during a poetry reading.Around 250 Christian activists are protesting outside the Welsh assembly building during a poetry reading.
Patrick Jones was invited by two assembly members to read from his collection Darkness Is Where The Stars Are, which has already led to claims it is "obscene and blasphemous".Patrick Jones was invited by two assembly members to read from his collection Darkness Is Where The Stars Are, which has already led to claims it is "obscene and blasphemous".
But supporters defended it and said the assembly should allow free speech. Mr Jones was "shocked" by the turnout but said it was good for free speech.
Stephen Green, director of Christian Voice, said: "This turnout shows the strength of feeling of people."Stephen Green, director of Christian Voice, said: "This turnout shows the strength of feeling of people."
Protesters sang hymns and some held placards before the ticket-only event inside the Senedd building.Protesters sang hymns and some held placards before the ticket-only event inside the Senedd building.
Mr Green added: We're seeing the Christian faith attacked on all sides."Mr Green added: We're seeing the Christian faith attacked on all sides."
"Now it's under attack in a seat of government in the UK.""Now it's under attack in a seat of government in the UK."
Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Conservatives was at the demonstration, and was asked if he was showing his support.Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Conservatives was at the demonstration, and was asked if he was showing his support.
He replied: "Yes, essentially."He replied: "Yes, essentially."
'Really proud'
"Our group opposed this {reading] at the home of Welsh democracy, promoting something which is anti-Christian and we would say that if it was any recognised religion.""Our group opposed this {reading] at the home of Welsh democracy, promoting something which is anti-Christian and we would say that if it was any recognised religion."
Lorraine Barrett, Labour AM, who co-hosted the event said before the meeting that the protest was over-the-top and you should allow free speech. Mr Jones was asked by Labour AM Lorraine Barrett and Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black, who said he wanted to make sure the poet was not "gagged".
Mr Jones was asked by Ms Barrett and Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black, who said he wanted to make sure the poet was not "gagged". "I think this is a good day for democracy. We've head both sides - Patrick has had his poetry reading and it's also important for people to be able to make their views known."
One of the poems that has offended Christians, called Hymn, includes a reference to Mary Magdalene having sex with Jesus. One of the poems that has offended Christians, called Hymn, includes a reference to Mary Magdalene having sex with Jesus. It was read by an actress Stacey Daley, from Newport.
Patrick Jones was invited by two assembly members
Mr Jones is the brother of Nicky Wire, of the Manic Street Preachers.Mr Jones is the brother of Nicky Wire, of the Manic Street Preachers.
A books-signing launch event was cancelled at a Cardiff bookstore last month after an earlier protest was planned. A books-signing launch event was cancelled at a Cardiff branch of Waterstone's last month after an earlier protest was planned.
He signed copies of the collection of 30 to 40 poems in the street instead.He signed copies of the collection of 30 to 40 poems in the street instead.
Last month, Mr Jones said of the row: "I'm really proud of this book and I'm really sickened. Mr Jones, who has said he is "really proud" of the book said after the protest: "I was really shocked at the turnout and I think that's healthy for democracy but I don't think many of them have read the poem.
"There shouldn't be censorship of this sort - it doesn't set out to be offensive." "A bit of a moral panic has been created but what happened at Waterstone's set a dangerous precedent."
He said he had not singled out Christianity in his poems, but was questioning beliefs in society. He insisted he had not singled out Christianity in his poems, but was questioning beliefs in society.
Mr Green said: "I didn't want to get party political about this, but I've had a number of letters of support from members of the assembly.Mr Green said: "I didn't want to get party political about this, but I've had a number of letters of support from members of the assembly.
"The Conservative group has come out against this locally and many Plaid Cymru members have too."The Conservative group has come out against this locally and many Plaid Cymru members have too.
"I am not taking sides, I'm just telling it how it is.""I am not taking sides, I'm just telling it how it is."