 |
| Christians were stranded on their church’s roof.
(Photo courtesy of church members)
|
China Aid
By Rachel Ritchie
(Huzhou, Zhejiang—Aug. 5, 2015) The recently-established “Lawyers for the Protection of the Cross” group has initiated legal action in an attempt to fight back against the coastal Zhejiang provincial government’s demolition of church crosses.
On July 15, group member Zhang Kai released a message, detailing the group’s recent actions and providing possible outcomes. His statement is as follows:
First, we requested that the Wuxing District government in the city of Huzhou reconsider their compliance with the religious affairs bureau’s request to remove the cross atop a church in Wuxing District, Huzhou. The legal office said there would be a reply within five days. If the answer is that this case can’t be put on record, we will file an administrative lawsuit.
Second, we also requested that several departments of the Huzhou Municipal Religious Affairs Bureau disclose more information … By law, if an answer does not come within 15 days, an administrative lawsuit will be filed.
Third, if this event arouses great public anger and severely hurts the feelings of religious people, the people in Wuxing District may apply to the public security bureau for an approved protest. If an answer does not come within a legally prescribed time, a lawsuit will be filed.
Four, because the officials involved in this case are allegedly committed the crime of illegally depriving people of religious freedom, they are in violation of Penal Code 251. As a result, we will sue the Procuratorate on behalf of the Christians in the village. For other incidences we hear of during this time, we will file a lawsuit in a timely manner.
China Aid reported today that more than 20 Christians from the church in Wuxing District, Huzhou are currently stranded on the church’s rooftop after police surrounded the building. The church members have been on the roof for more than 24 hours.
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