Vietnamese Community Actions for Human Rights (VietCAHR)
1538 N Century Blvd. Santa Ana, CA 92703

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2010

Contact: Phu Nguyen
(714) 206-6151

Walk for Justice at Mile Square Park in Support of Religious Freedom

Vietnamese American Community unites to stand up for freedom, justice,
human rights in Vietnam and pray for the Dong Chiem Parishioners

Santa Ana, CA - In response to recent attacks by Vietnamese authorities destroying the Catholic Holy Crucifix and violence against Dong Chiem parishioners, the Vietnamese Community Actions for Human Rights Committee (VietCAHR), a collaborative of over 30 different religious and community organizations, will hold a Walk for Justice to condemn the Vietnamese Government for its brutal actions against the Vietnamese religious faithful following a series of human rights violations in Vietnam.

On January 6, 2010, an estimated 600 to 1,000 armed police officers entered the Dong Chiem Parish Cemetery to destroy the Holy Crucifix, a sacred Catholic symbol, and brutalized parishioners who protected the structure. The government used sledge-hammers and explosives to destroy the structure which has existed at the same location for over 100 years.

The Vietnamese Community Actions for Human Rights Committee condemns the desecration of religious symbols of Dong Chiem Parish and urges the members of community, members of the Interfaith Council, members of the media in Orange County to join us at the Walk for Justice in Support of Religious Freedom at Mile Square Park (corner of Euclid & Edinger) at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2010.

Please join the Walk for Justice to stand up for freedom, justice and pray for the Dong Chiem Parishioners in Vietnam. Your participation will send a strong message to the Government of Vietnam that their religious and human rights violations are unacceptable.

Please contact Phu Nguyen at 714-206-6151 or email phutopia@yahoo.com for further information.