Contact: Kat Lewis, All Girls Allowed, 617-275-9176, kat@allgirlsallowed.org
BOSTON, May 19, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- We are thrilled that Chen Guangcheng and his family will soon arrive in the US. This is an amazing answer to prayer. It is also a direct response to the outpouring of public support and media coverage that followed Chen's escape in late April.
The attention Chen's plight received played a major role in shaping the events that followed. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) organized two hearings that galvanized the press and gave Chen a chance to speak publicly about his cause and his family's struggle. Others, including Mitt Romney, used their voices to highlight Chen's situation.
Chen Guangcheng's concern for his family is legitimate, and we trust that the media will continue to hold China accountable for any reprisal attacks against them. They have already suffered brutal attacks at the hands of officials in Linyi, who are violating China's own laws. The treatment that Chen's family receives in the next few weeks will show the world whether China is setting a course to take its own laws -- and the rights of its citizens -- seriously.
Tonight, we welcome Chen Guangchang and his family with open arms. It is a joy and an honor to greet them and we pray that they will experience some much-needed peace and rest.
We know that the battle against the injustice of the One-Child Policy is far from over, however. Right now, the women in China that Chen fought to protect are still undergoing forced abortions and sterilizations. Families still dispose of baby girls at a devastating rate, leaving 40 million unaccounted for. Chen was jailed or confined from 2006 until last month for working to end these injustices. And just two weeks ago, reporter Melissa Chan of Al Jazeera was expelled from Beijing for shedding light on these things.
As Chen said during last week's hearing, we cannot remain silent in the face of an injustice so great. China can no longer hide the One-Child Policy's devastating effects on women.
The One-Child Policy must end. China will only be able to prosper freely when it does.
All Girls Allowed was founded by Chai Ling in 2010 with a mission to display the love of Jesus by restoring life, value and dignity to girls and mothers in China and to reveal the injustice of the One-Child Policy.
