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China sentenced Gong and four other church leaders to death last year, in part under "anti-cult" laws. Chinese authorities also mistook his statements about expanding his movement nationally, thinking he had political ambitions. After U.S. officials and Christian activists protested, authorities reduced the sentences to long prison terms.
Rights organizations urge supporters to pray for pastor Gong and to write to the Chinese ambassador to the United States on behalf of him and others (a suggested protest letter can be found at www.csw.org.uk/campaign%20sheets/gongcampaign.htm):
Ambassador Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 202.588.0032
You can also provide financial help to the families of imprisoned Christians through Asia Harvest's "Living Martyrs Fund" (www.asiaharvest.org/projects2.htm).
Write local congressional representatives about your concern for Christians in China. Also contact the office of Rep. Joseph R. Pitts (R-Pa.) for information on how to advocate for prisoners in China (call 202.225.2411, or visit www.house.gov/pitts).
It is also helpful to write President Bush about the priority that religious freedom should have in bilateral talks with the new Chinese regime: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20500.—Jeff M. Sellers
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