Christian Wedding Raided in Sichuan; Bride, Groom and Guests Arrested

China Aid Association
Photo: A Christian wedding in Hunan province

(SICHUAN — December 18, 2008) At around 10 a.m. on December 17, 2008 a group of about 30 house church
Christians were arrested while celebrating a wedding for a Christian couple at Gaoxue town, Dazhu county, Sichuan province. After ChinaAid mobilized a phone call campaign, all of the Christians were released.
The incident began when the Christians were singing, dancing and worshipping at the wedding. Suddenly, about 30-50 Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers surrounded the wedding guests and arrested everyone, including the bride, Ying Zhongying and the groom, Wang San. The Christians were accused of engaging in “illegal religious activities.”
Police forcibly photographed the Christians, recorded their IDs and interrogated them. The primary accusation against the Christians was that while they were singing worship songs on the street, they held up a banner which read:  “God Loves the World.”  The PSB officers accused them of “illegal sharing of religion.”  Officials also accused them of “distributing gospel flyers during the wedding time.”
When the incident was reported, ChinaAid immediately mobilized an international phone call campaign. One ChinaAid staff member reported, “I called the PSB office. They were very busy interrogating the Christians. When the man who answered heard I was calling from the U.S., he hung up quickly.” After the international attention, all of the Christians were released.
ChinaAid thanks all who are speaking out. Thank you for your efforts, which are vital to those in China who are persecuted for their faith. Your actions are making a difference.
Call the Public Security Bureau in Gaoxue town and encourage them to allow religious freedom in their area. The phone number is:  +86-818-6772010.
To request permission to reproduce ChinaAid photos and/or information, please contact: [email protected].


China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected] 
Website: www.chinaaid.org

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Christian Wedding Raided in Sichuan; Bride, Groom and Guests Arrested

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