An upcoming Atlanta march demanding the “protection of marriage” led by a prominent African-American church drew fire Wednesday from the National Black Justice Coalition, a group supporting same-sex marriage.

“The march isn’t solely about gay marriage, but it is the driving force. Our position is people should march for better jobs, better education, better healthcare and not target marriage,” said Jasmyne Cannick, a board member and spokesperson for the Washington-based coalition.

Bishop Eddie Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia will lead marchers from the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change to Turner Field, beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 11.

A spokesperson for the church could not immediately be reached for comment late Wednesday.

According to New Birth’s Web site, the first focus of the “Reigniting the Legacy” march is “protection of marriage,” including “strategic policy direction for a constitutional amendment to fully protect marriage between one man and one woman.”

The group aims to “establish a presence with the state and local government” and pledges, “we will not be silent!” on this and other issues, according to the Web site.

Cannick said she is working with organizers from In the Life Atlanta, sponsor of the city’s annual Black Gay Pride, to protest at the march.

But Zandra Conway, ITLA board co-chair, said Wednesday night no counter march was planned, although ITLA would issue a statement disagreeing with New Birth’s stance on gay marriage.

“We want to respect their right to march, but also we want to say we object to one of their focuses, about marriage,” Conway said. “We agree with their other points.”

Georgia Equality, a statewide gay rights group, also criticized the march’s focus on marriage.

“Bishop Long is continuing to mislead his congregants as to what marriage equality is all about,” Chuck Bowen, Georgia Equality executive director, said in a press statement. “We are simply seeking the recognition by civil authorities — state and federal — to enjoy the same rights and privileges as other couples. This has never been a religious issue and it never will be.”

New Birth’s Web site lists three other focuses for the march: “wealth creation,” including such issues as home ownership for minorities and small business support; “education reform,” which addresses goals like lessening drop-out rates and charter schools; and “health care” that affordable and “acknowledges the higher disease and mortality statistics in minority communities.”

The march’s Web site also cites King as an influence.

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people,” the Web site says, quoting the late civil rights leader.

But linking the event to King’s legacy drew special criticism from Cannick and Keith Boykin, president of the National Black Justice Coalition, who noted that one of King’s closest advisers, Bayard Rustin, was openly gay.

“Dr. King said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Boykin said in a press release. “But Bishop Long seems to think that injustice against gays and lesbians is perfectly fine.”

King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, has spoken out in favor of gay rights, and is scheduled to speak to the Atlanta Executive Network, a gay business group, on Jan. 13.

“I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people,” King said in a 1998 press interview.

The march is followed by a corporate prayer at 7 p.m. at New Birth.