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04/21/2006

CDC Disappointed by President Bush's Apology to Chinese President after  Demonstration at White House
Group also rips the double standard of the media for repeatedly describing Wenyi Wang as a "heckler" while constantly referring to Cindy Sheehan as a "peace activist" and "anti-war activist."

WASHINGTON, April 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- President Bush apologized to Chinese President Hu Jintao after an activist for the group Falun Gong shouted for Mr. Bush to help end Chinese religious persecution against their group at a White House news conference.

The Coalition believes the response of President Bush to the episode should have been focusing on the human rights violations and the religious persecution by the Chinese government.

Group also rips the double standard of the media for repeatedly describing Wenyi Wang as a "heckler" while constantly referring to Cindy Sheehan as a "peace activist" and "anti-war activist."

At the very least, Wenyi Wang should have been addressed as a "religious rights activist" or "free speech protester" rather than as a "heckler."

Christian Defense Coalition also calls for the United States government to drop criminal charges against Wenyi Wang.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, comments, "We are very disappointed that President Bush did not take a stronger stand on addressing the human rights violations and religious persecution by the Chinese government. The focus of the episode at yesterday's news conference should not have been an apology by President Bush. Rather, it should have been an honest and open dialogue by the White House on human rights and religious freedom.

"It was also troubling to see the repeated characterization of Wenyi Wang by the national press as a 'heckler.' This women was simply attempting to draw public attention to the religious persecution of the Falun Gong by the Chinese government. Compare this with the constant description of Cindy Sheehan as a peace activist or an anti-war activist by the media. I have never once seen Ms. Sheehan described as a 'heckler' and I am sure if she spoke out at a similar event would not have been labeled as such.

"I also hope and pray the *United* States government does not move forward with criminal charges against Wenyi Wang."