Topeka ? A rally to show opposition to policies of Gov. Sam Brownback is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Friday on the south steps of the Capitol.

Leaders of Kansans United in Voice & Spirit say they hope the event will spur the creation of group chapters throughout the state to educate the public “about the consequences of regressive policy making and ideological mandates.”

The group was founded by Tamara Werth, a Lawrence psychiatrist, and Crystal McComas, a Lawrence clinical social worker.

Brownback, a Republican former U.S. senator, was elected governor in November and took office in January.

Werth said Brownback is hurting many of the programs that Kansans hold dear by cutting funding to public schools, social services, the arts and Planned Parenthood.

“I don’t believe he conveyed to the Kansas people that he was going to come in and destroy so many programs,” Werth said. “I don’t think that was in any of the press releases. People are in a large sense waking up and finding out how dangerous his policies are,” she said.

Brownback has defended his budget cuts as necessary in tough economic times. An opponent of abortion, he invited the Legislature to pass anti-abortion bills, most of which are now the focus of legal challenges.