Washington, DC — Three American Christians were arrested for a second time in Beijing, China. Video of the arrests was caught by CNN cameramen. (Video posted below.)
Rev. Pat Mahoney, Brandi Swindell, and Michael McMonagle were arrested and forcible dragged away as they knelt in prayer outside the Mao Tse Tung Mausoleum. The group was in Bejing speaking out against China’s forced abortion policies, religious persecution, and other human rights abuses.
Plain clothed policemen were filmed dragging Rev. Mahoney and Ms. Swindell by the arms as other men, presumed to be additional plain clothed officers, attempted to shield the arrest from cameras with large umbrellas.
The three Christian activists were detained and released earlier in the week as they stood in Tiananmen Square with a banner that read in English and Chinese, “Jesus Christ is King.”
It is unknown if or when the group will be released after Thursday’s arrest.
In the wake of the arrests, President Bush today issued his harshest statements against human rights abuses committed by the Chinese government.
“We stand in support of Rev. Mahoney and the other two brave Christians who have been arrested again for speaking out on behalf of the oppressed. The human heart yearns for freedom and truth. The truth of the Gospel and the sanctity of life cannot be silenced forever. As the eyes of the world focus on Beijing for the Olympics, we pray that those truths will be emblazoned in the hearts of all who hear of this courageous and prophetic witness,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “We pray for their immediate release and safe return to freedom.”
I am SO proud of them! They are truly a “voice crying in the wilderness” and I ‘m sure millions of Chinese people, if they find out, and they may by word of mouth, are grateful that someone cares.
Jesus cares for them in their suffering, and now they know that we Christians care as well. Pray for the protesters, pray for the conversion of the government of China.
They are so brave! I would be so afraid that the Chinese government would lock me in prison forever! God gives them the strength and courage to be a witness! I pray that I could one day be that brave!
What an example for the rest of us! Thank you for your courage and may God bless you abundantly as you continue your work for Life…..
JESUS CHRIST IS KING. ABORTION IS MURDER. GOD FORBIDS MURDER. US Congress pays Planned Parenthool to murder babies. Some American mothers choose to kill their babies in the womb. Chineese mothers have their babies taken from them by their government. Which sin is greatest?
It’s been said that for evil to flourish, good men need only to remain silent…what an inspiration to all to witness brave men and women standing up for justice against tyranny..and at great personal risk. God Bless you all
China is fast becoming a powerful nation, and they still rule with an iron rod. We christians need to fervently pray, not only for the persecution of the christians in China, but pray for repentance in our own country for the murder of 50 million aborted babies. If only 10% of the church would protest at abortion mills, abortion would no longer be. I pray for all christians in every country to be revived and protest and be the voice for these babies, and realize the power we have in sheer numbers, and the power of God. A policeman who was putting handcuffs on me told me that we don’t realize that if we could get greater numbers of people out to the mills and actually block entrances, that the police would not be able to handle them. He asked me a question that has puzzled me since. “Where are the people against abortion? Don’t they realize their power is in their numbers?” Thank God for the pro-lifers like the ones who were arrested in china.
Holymoly Batman! What courage! What nerve! And to stand toe to toe with the authorities. Surely the Holy Spirit was with them. Thank you from all of us who support you. I hope your next stop is the national news, but I won’t hold my breath.
Helen
I’m thankful everyone made it back on US soil safe and sound.
As our Constitutional rights are being stripped away in the USA, we too, could soon find ourselves in the same predicament as our Chinese brothers and sisters. The postive outcome of the persecution, it will separate the sheep from the goats. The days of playing Church here in America may soon be coming to a close.
THANK YOU TO THE THREE CHRISTIANS WHO SPOKE OUT SO BRAVELY AGAINST ONE CHILD POLICY AND FORCED ABORTIONS IN CHINA AND HIGHLIGHTED THE MURDER OF THOSE WHO CAN NOT SPEAK FOR THEM SELVES, THE SLATTER OF LITTLE UNBORN CHILDREN AND INHUMAN TORTURE AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS.
I AM PROUD OF THE COURAGE OF
MEN AND WOMEN WHO AT RISK OF THEIR LIFE IN CHINA ACHIEVED THEIR GOAL AND PROCLAIMING THE GOSPELS OF OUR SAVOUR JESUS CHRIST IS KING OF KINGS AMEN.
FROM JOAN OHARE NEWRY CITY NORTHERN IRELAND
I MADE MY VIEWS CLEAR AND MY EMAIL IS MODERFIED.
“and I ‘m sure millions of Chinese people… are grateful that someone cares”
How naive. Do any of you really think that the people of China care about any of this? The VAST VAST VAST majority of Chinese are non-Christians and are pro-choice. I mentioned this incident to people here in China and most were angry that these “foreigners” came to China specifically for the purpose of “breaking the law.” You’re clearly all out of touch with Chinese reality.
To Carl: If there is just ONE CHRISTIAN in China who is being persecuted, (especially if it were YOU), the outcry is worth it!!
May God Bless those who stand up for HIM; especially, under self-sacrifice situations!!!!
rev. Mahoney
First, in china, and now in denver. thank you for your bold stands for righteousness. You are reigning with Him and have no fear of the enemy. You are an overcomer. earnest prayers in your behalf.
Love in Christ, Kathleen tyree