Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney (in police custody as of 10:30 AM, available after release for remainder of Hu's visit) 540-538-4741, 202-547-1735

 

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, was arrested in front of the White House on Tuesday, January, 18.

 

 

Prior to his arrest Rev. Mahoney brought to the sidewalk in front of the White House; a single chair, a picture of Nobel Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo, and a picture of a Christian woman who was brutally beaten by the Chinese government. The empty chair represents all those who could never attend a State Dinner because they are being persecuted and in prison for their religious and political beliefs.

 

The chair Mahoney brought also represents the empty chair from the Noble Peace prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway when Liu Xiaobo could not accept the award because the Chinese government had imprisoned him for speaking out for freedom and democratic reforms in China.

 

Rev. Mahoney has a 25 year record of leading protests and speaking out against the human rights abuses of the Chinese government and was part of a delegation that led demonstrations in Tiananmen Square during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Rev. Mahoney and the delegation were arrested, dragged out of Tiananmen Square twice and finally deported and thrown out of China.

 

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states,

 

"We are calling upon President Obama to publicly, passionately and boldly speak out against the human and religious rights abuses by the Chinese government against their own people when President Hu Jinato visits the White House this week.

 

"Sadly, the Obama Administration has remained painfully silent when it comes to China's utter disregard for human rights and religious freedom. He has refused to speak out against their policy of forced abortion and gendercide against Chinese women.

 

"I am brining this single empty chair to serve as a prophetic reminder and witness to President Obama that it is more important to honor and remember those who cannot attend this State Dinner rather than those who will be in attendance. While the guests are dining on expensive and extravagant food there will be scores who will be oppressed and placed behind bars by the Chinese government because of their faith and political beliefs; people like Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo who is in prison, Christians who are in prison, Falun Gong members and Buddhist Monks who are in prison and women who are fleeing forced abortion and gendercide.

 

"We simply ask President Obama to embrace justice and human rights and live out the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King when he said, 'He who accepts evil without protesting against it, is really cooperating with it.'"

 

For more information or interviews call Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at 540.538.4741    202.547.1735. Mahoney is in police custody as of 10:30 AM on Jan. 18, and will be available after his release and for the remainder of President Hu's visit.

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