Topeka ? A large crowd is rallying at the Kansas Statehouse against what the state’s Catholic bishops and other social conservatives view as attacks by the federal government on religious freedom.

Gov. Sam Brownback has urged a large crowd at the Kansas Statehouse to work to overturn a federal government policy designed to ensure that most employers’ health plans cover contraceptive.

Brownback joined the state’s Roman Catholic bishops Friday in decrying the policy as an attack on religious freedom. Several thousand people attended.

The rally is part of a nationwide campaign prompted by the mandate announced by President Barack Obama earlier this year.

The mandate included a religious exemption for houses of worship but not religiously affiliated hospitals, charities, universities and social service agencies. Obama later announced a modification, but Catholic bishops nationwide viewed it as inadequate.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran had been scheduled to speak but was detained in Washington by Senate business.