Three Americans Detained a Second Time in China Protest

The Olympics has provided a spotlight for more than just sports in China. For the second day in a row, three American activists were detained for speaking out on human rights and life issues in historic Tiananmen Square.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - Athletes are gathering in preparation for the Beijing Olympics, thousands lined the Great Wall of China to watch for the Olympic torch, and, at the same time, loud voices for the unborn, the afflicted and the persecuted were raised in an historic location. For the second time in as many days, three American activists were arrested for their activities on behalf of human rights at the famed Tiananmen Square.

Patrick Mahoney, the director of the Washington DC-based Christian Defense Coalition, along with Brinda Swindell and Michael McMonagle, both from Generation Life in Idaho, attempted to hold a news conference and prayer vigil outside the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. Plain clothes security guards blocked media from filming the event by holding up their hands and umbrellas. The three were forced off the square.

Speaking to a small crowd, Mahoney stated, "We have come here today to speak out against the human rights abuses of the Chinese government. We have come here today to be a voice to those who are in prison because of their religious beliefs."

On Wednesday, the three had attempted a similar demonstration against China's one child policy and their practice of forced abortion. "End the brutality," they reportedly shouted to onlookers. "To those who are forced to go through forced abortions and have no voice, we are your voice."

After unfurling a yellow banner with "Jesus Christ is king" printed on it in English and Mandarin the three were taken from the square and detained.

The London Times reported that Mahoney spoke to an American radio station following his release after the first protest.

"We knelt right there in the middle of Tiananmen Square and began to pray," he told listeners. "More people gathered around, we were having umbrellas shoved in our side, kicked...the police of course were there. After a while they took the banner and then they picked us up and physically removed us from Tiananmen Square and detained us."

Forty-five minutes later they were released after passports had been examined. Reportedly, security guards are now stationed in the lobby of their hotel.

According to Mahoney, the group is dedicated to using the notoriety of the Olympics to spotlight persecuted Christians and other violations of life and human freedom taking place in the country.

From April 15 to June 4, 1989 labor activists, students, and intellectuals gathered in Tiananmen Square in a massive demonstration that did not actually have one central focus. Basically it was a protest against the authoritarian nature of the Chinese Communist Party. On June 4 a military crackdown ended with the death or injury of up to 2,000 civilians.

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Since that time, this location has been a symbol of the need for free speech in the nation of China on behalf of those oppressed.

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