The network’s president, its medical director and two other members are due in court Friday on charges they aided the suicide of a 58-year-old Georgia man who suffered for years from cancer of the throat and mouth.

“Around the world tonight, in thousands of places around the world, there are gatherings like this one . . . to tell the world we still believe in goodness, we still believe in religious freedom,“ said Rabbi Yossel Kranz of Chabad of Virginia.

Organizers of “Day Without a Gay” — scheduled to coincide with International Human Rights Day and modeled after similar work stoppages by Latino immigrants — also are encouraging people to perform volunteer work and refrain from spending money.

“It’ll be the great big tree that this year will be decorated with ornaments from all around the United States, decorated by artists from all around the United States,“ the first lady said of the tree that will serve as the centerpiece in the White House holiday decor.