04/21/2006

United Coptic Voice: First Amendment and Civil Liberties Under Attack Coalition to Rally Monday, April 24
Held in Los Angeles to Ask US Government to Intervene

LOS ANGELES, April 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- A coalition of mostly Christian organizations is joining United Coptic Voice (UCV) in a rally to bring attention to Egypt’s sanctioning of murder, mayhem, persecution and prosecution of Christians in the name of Islam.

Rally Details---

When: Monday, April 24, Noon to 4:00 PM

Where: In front of the Federal building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles

Who: Representatives from International Christian Union (ICU), United Coptic Voice, and Courageous Christians United

Why: To ask the US government to intervene, as Egypt is the second largest recipient of USA aid

Knife-wielding assailants attacked worshippers at three Coptic churches in Alexandria during Mass on Friday, April 14, killing one person and wounding more than a dozen. The Associated Press quoted the Egyptian Interior Ministry as saying, "A citizen attacked three worshippers inside the Mar-Girgis Church with a knife and then fled and went into the Saints Church, where he attacked three other worshippers and again fled."

The Egyptian government described the man as suffering from "psychological disturbances." Long time Middle East Christians supporter and Pat Buchanan‘s VP running mate (Election 2000) observes, "It seems the Muslims’ insanity targets only Christians and their Churches. This vicious episode adds to the series of horrendous crimes Muslims in Egypt commit against the Copts from attacking their churches, shedding their blood, raping their women and daughters and forcibly converting them to Islam."

Paul Marshall, a Senior Fellow with Freedom House’s Center for Religious Freedom outlines 18 instances of escalating violence against and oppression of Coptic Christians in Egypt from August 19,2003 to February 20, 2006 (will be available to press at rally).

UCV joins with the International Christian Union (ICU) in calling for an end to the escalating violence against Christians in Egypt. Coptic Christians in Egypt who number approximately 15-20 million are denied human rights as to the practice of their religion and their security inside their own professions and occupations.

UCV, and coalition members, will rally Monday, April 24, Noon to 4:00 PM in front of the Federal building, 11000 Wilshire Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90024, asking the USA government to intervene, as Egypt is the second largest recipient of USA aid.