SPOKANE VALLEY (AP) — Proponents of creating a 51st state that would span parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming held a bake sale in the City of Spokane Valley to raise money for their cause.

Supporters of the proposed Christian conservative state raised money by auctioning pies and other desserts at their Liberty State Gala Thursday evening, which drew about 200 people.

Speakers included Washington state Rep. Matt Shea, a Spokane Valley Republican who has championed the Liberty State movement.

Shea spoke of the cultural and political differences between eastern and western Washington, denied the existence of global warming, and claimed the United States is “a Christian nation” under siege by atheists and Communists.

Spokane City Councilman Mike Fagen and county Prosecutor Larry Haskell also attended.