Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Group to leave flowers and hold prayer vigil calling on Mayor Bowser to veto the legislation.

The vigil will be today, Sunday, November 20, at 4:00 p.m. located at 7927 Orchid St NW, Washington, DC 20012-1133.

The Washington, D.C. City Council passed a bill to legalize assisted suicide on Tuesday despite opposition from black residents in the city, disability rights advocates, medical professionals and others.

Washington, D.C. Community activist Leona Redmond states;

"Because of Jim Crow laws, we didn't have the opportunity to have the same jobs, to have the same insurance, the same retirement benefits. It's really aimed at old black people."

Catherine Glenn Foster, Executive Director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition USA, a cosponsor of the event, stated;

"Euthanasia Prevention Coalition USA calls upon Mayor Bowser to heed the warnings of her Department of Health Director, Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, ranging from legal complications to issues from the perspective of the medical community. Dr. Nesbitt explained that this bill goes against the Hippocratic Oath and 700 years of tradition, the likelihood of abuse and coercion, and doctors being unable to accurately evaluate a person's competency or predict their prognosis. And these are just a few of the problems with assisted suicide. For all DC residents, Mayor Bowser should see the fatal flaws in assisted suicide, and veto this bill."

Rev. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and Pastor of Church on the Hill both based in D.C., comments;

"We pray and call upon Mayor Bowser to veto this legislation which targets the elderly, those with disabilities, the chronically ill and the poor. It is the role of government officials and medical professionals to protect and do no harm to those in their communities who are the most vulnerable.

"We are now seeing in states where physician assisted suicide laws have been passed, insurance companies refusing to provide medical care for the terminally ill  and instead offering coverage for assisted suicide.  This law disproportionately impacts the poor and disenfranchised in our city."

For more information or interviews call:
Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741