Some Christian leaders are protesting the Bush administration decision to seek up to six months in federal prison for Wenyi Wang, the woman who shouted at the president and Chinese leader Hu Jintao at the White House last week.
At the event, Wang, who got access to the White House grounds as a media representative with a Chinese opposition paper, shouted, "President Bush, stop him (President Hu) from persecuting Falun Gong" and "President Bush, stop him from killing."
In Chinese, the woman shouted, "President Hu, your days are numbered."
Tomorrow morning, representatives from the Christian Defense Coalition and the National Clergy Council will hold a news conferences at Georgetown University that coincides with a conference on religious freedom and tolerance there.
"We are extremely disappointed that the Bush administration is bringing charges against Dr. Wenyi Wang that may result in her spending six months in federal prison," said the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, in a statement.
"Her crime? Shouting out for President Bush to help stop the killing and religious persecution of Falun Gong. We believe these federal charges are sending a horrible message to the worldwide community concerning America's commitment to protecting religious freedom and liberties.
"It seems extremely hypocritical for the White House to roll out the red carpet for a world leader whose government supports the trampling and crushing of human rights. And, at the same time pursue prison time for a women fighting to end religious persecution and violence. Our message is clear: President Bush, support religious freedom and the First Amendment, and drop all charges against Dr. Wang."
Commented the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council: "With all due respect to President Bush, this incident demands leniency. This is an extraordinary case. Wenyi Wang was persecuted by one of the last totalitarian communist regimes left on Earth. Communist China is an enemy of the United States, and Hu Jintao embodies one of the worst, most abusive and morally bankrupt regimes in the history of the human race. Wenyi Wang had proper press credentials to be where she was. Her only crime was to interrupt Chinese President Hu Jintao, the chief of this illegitimate, murderous, repressive and repugnant government.
"The Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant church leaders of the National Clergy Council appeal to President Bush and federal prosecutors to drop these charges. The president should reinforce the inalienable God-give rights of Wenyi Wang, not accommodate the harsh ego of a cruel dictator."
After emerging from a hearing at U.S. district court in Washington Friday, Wang said of her act: "It's not a crime but an act of civil disobedience."
