Coptic Solidarity encourages everyone to join on October 3, at the US Capitol Visitor Center, Room 200, from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM for the 3rd Annual Modern Coptic Martyrs Remembrance Day. This event commemorates and seeks justice for the many modern Coptic martyrs who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their faith.

Contact: Lindsay Griffin, Coptic Solidarity, 801-512-1713, coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Coptic Solidarity encourages everyone to join on October 3, at the US Capitol Visitor Center, Room 200, from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM for the 3rd Annual Modern Coptic Martyrs Remembrance Day. This event commemorates and seeks justice for the many modern Coptic martyrs who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their faith.

Photo: On October 9, 2011, Egyptian soldiers used live ammunition without warning and drove armored personnel carriers in zig-zag patterns through peaceful Coptic protesters to kill as many as possible

The event will be hosted near the 7th Anniversary of the Maspero Massacre in which the Egyptian army murdered 27 Copts and injured 327 who were peacefully protesting the government's closure of a church in Aswan. The government has yet to take responsibility for this brutal attack in which soldiers used live ammunition without warning and drove armored personnel carriers in zig-zag patterns through the protestors to kill as many as possible.

The need for individuals and organizations worldwide to join together and demand protection and justice for Copts could not be more urgent. In recent weeks, there have been mounting reports of church closures forcing parishioners to hold funerals and services in the streets, attacks on Copts and their properties, imprisonment of Copts accused of "praying in an unauthorized building," and continued systematic discrimination against Copts in Egypt.

Coptic Solidarity urges concerned individuals of all faiths and denominations to join near the seventh anniversary of the Maspero Massacre to host prayer vigils and other remembrance events. Coptic Solidarity has created an online resource center where churches and individuals can find all the necessary tools to host a prayer event or any other commemorative activity. The resource center includes a church bulletin insert, fact sheet, an educational presentation, an advocacy campaign, and photos and videos.

This modern civil rights movement will not achieve success without the support of individuals, organizations and governments worldwide, demanding the Egyptian government acknowledge and provide justice for the victims of the Maspero Massacre, protection of Copts against violent attacks, an end to the systematic discrimination against them, and the institution of full and equal rights to Copts as citizens in their homeland.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Dr. Jonathan Adly: Founder -- History of the Copts Podcast
   
• Gary Bauer: Commissioner -- The US Commission on International Religious Freedom
   
• Dr. Mark Eid: Executive Committee Member -- Coptic Solidarity
   
• Robert Nicholson: President -- The Philos Project
   
• Clifford Smith: Washington Project Director -- Middle East Forum

This event is open to the public and media. Please RSVP to coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org

Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts, of Egypt and we support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens. It advocates in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarité Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Griffin at 801-512-1713 or coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org.