Vigil for Chen Guangcheng in Front of Chinese Embassy Sunday, April 29, at 4:30 P.M.
Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2012 /
Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Defense Coalition will lead a prayer vigil and public witness in support of Chen Guangcheng in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., at 4:30 P.M. on Sunday, April 29.
The Christian Defense Coalition calls upon the Obama Administration not to turn Chen back over to the Chinese which would result in unspeakable violence to him and his family and would betray the principles of human rights and justice that Americans have embraced for years.
What: Prayer vigil and public witness in support of Chen Guangcheng
When: Sunday, April 29, 2012, at 4:30 P.M.
Where: Chinese Embassy, 3505 International Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Chen Guangcheng made headlines around the world two days ago with his dramatic escape from 19 months of house arrest by the Chinese government.
It is now being reported that he is in U.S. custody at the embassy in Beijing.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and an outspoken critic of the Chinese government for 25 years as well as being arrested and deported from China after leading demonstrations for human rights and religious freedom at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, states;
"First of all, we are so thankful to God for Chen Guangcheng's dramatic escape from 19 months of brutal and violent house arrest. His courage, faith and passion shows that even the full weight of the Chinese military cannot crush the power of freedom and the human spirit.
"We are gathering to pray for his safety and the safety of his family along with all of those in China who are being brutalized and oppressed for their beliefs, stand for human rights and justice and ending the barbaric practice of forced abortion.
"It should never be a crime to desire freedom, democracy and human rights.
"We are also praying for the Obama Administration not to turn Chen over to the Chinese where he will face certain unspeakable violence and torture.
"This is a watershed moment for President Obama and the United States. Will he bow to the pressure of an oppressive Chinese regime? Or will he stand strong and embrace human rights and freedom for all and not betray the principles that Chen Guangcheng has risked his life for?
"If Chen is given back to the Chinese government, America has broken covenant with the ideals that have guided our country for over two centuries and signals to the world that those ideals are no longer important to us.
"Mr. President the whole world is watching. Will they see an America that does not compromise and surrender to tyranny and oppression? Or will they see a nation that is more concerned with appeasement and protecting economic and financial interests?"
For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at 540.538.4741
