Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741, 202-547-1735; Dr. Gary Cass, Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, 954-551-9770

MEDIA ADVISORY, Feb. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- The street preachers were gunned down on the public sidewalk in Boynton Beach, Florida after sharing the gospel with gang members.
 
** (Below is a copy of a news article of the shooting.)
 
The Christian Defense Coalition and the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission will be holding a news conference and prayer vigil on the same public sidewalk where the preachers were executed.
 
They will also be leaving flowers on the public sidewalk to honor the work and life of these heroic preachers.
 
The news conference will be held on Friday, February 19, at 11:00 A.M. at the 100 block of Southwest Second Ave. in Boynton Beach.
 
At the news conference, the groups will be:
 
*Calling for Attorney General Eric Holder to launch a federal investigation to see  if these murders broke federal laws or federal civil rights statutes.
 
*Announcing plans for a rally and gospel witness on the exact spot where the two preachers were killed.
 
*Seeking a meeting with Boynton Beach police officials to see if they are pursing religious discrimination elements in this case.
 
*Seeking assurances that Christians preaching the gospel will be protected on the streets of Boynton Beach.
 
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition in Washington, D.C., states, 
 
"We are coming to South Florida to first honor the lives and work of Mr. Ocean and Sufra.  They were gunned down shortly after sharing God's love on the streets of Boynton Beach with struggling and hurting people. 
 
"We are also coming to seek assurances that Christians preaching the Word of God on public streets will be protected by local and federal law enforcement officials and that any violations of federal laws and civil rights will be thoroughly investigated.
 
"Finally, the greatest tribute we can give these two preachers is organizing a prayer rally and day of publicly sharing the gospel on the streets of Boynton Beach.  Something these men gave their lives for."
 
Dr. Gary Cass, Executive Director of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, shares, 
 
"This senseless crime has made martyrs out of two fine young Christian preachers.  Their courageous example has made us determined to not let their deaths be in vain.
 
"We cannot and will not allow the message of God's transforming love in Jesus Christ to be silenced anywhere in America."
 
For more information or interviews contact:
 
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney  at 540.538.4741   202.547.1735
 
Dr. Gary Cass   954.551.9770

**

Man arrested on charges of shooting street preachers in Boynton Beach

February 03, 2010 By Jerome Burdi, Sun Sentinel

Boynton Beach -- Preaching the word of God brought two street ministers to the man who killed them, police said.
 
Jeriah Woody, 18, was arrested Wednesday and charged in the double murder in Boynton Beach.

According to police: Victims Tite Sufra, 24, and Stephen Ocean, 23, were shot and killed Saturday night after meeting Woody on Southwest First Street and Second Avenue standing under a tree.
 
They preached to him for 15 minutes when Woody got a phone call and told the preachers he had to go. They kept walking down Second Avenue when Woody suddenly started walking toward them. Sufra walked up to meet him and was met with a gunshot. Ocean then ran and was shot in the back.
 
When he fell, Woody shot him in the head, execution style, police said.

Police found Woody through his street name, Plug, and he was identified through a witness. Woody surrendered to police on Wednesday and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
 
According to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records, Woody has been arrested on burglary, theft and drug-related charges.
 
In her Boynton Beach home, Sufra's mother, Vertilia St. Remy, said her son left behind a widow, but would not comment further after being told not to by her daughter, who was "very shaken."
 
"Everybody loves him," St. Remy said.

Staff writer Erika Pesantes contributed to this report.
Jerome Burdi can be reached at jburdi@SunSentinel.com or 561-243-6531.