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WASHINGTON (AP) — Some Christian activists have demonstrated outside the Chinese embassy in Washington to protest the forced removal of crosses from hundreds of churches in China.
The Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, carried a large wooden cross while he and a few followers used a bullhorn to shout their appeal for religious freedom in China. They broadcast their protest on Twitter.
Officials in China's Zhejiang (ZHUH'-zhee-ahng) province have toppled crosses from more than 400 churches since early 2014, sometimes resulting in violent clashes with congregation members. They have said the crosses violate building codes, but critics say the growth of Christian groups has made the ruling Communist Party nervous.
Mahoney says Chinese officials emerged from the embassy to photograph the protesters, but didn't speak with them.
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239-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Katie Mahoney, Christian protester)--Some Christian activists have demonstrated outside the Chinese embassy in Washington to protest the forced removal of crosses from hundreds of churches in China. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (14 May 2015)
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240-a-06-(Katie Mahoney, Christian protester, in demonstration outside Chinese embassy)-"most fundamental rights"-Christian protester Katie Mahoney urges China to let its people worship freely. (14 May 2015)
<<CUT *240 (05/14/15)££ 00:06 "most fundamental rights"
241-a-09-(Katie Mahoney, Christian protester, in demonstration outside Chinese embassy)-"people without fear"-Christian protester Katie Mahoney says religious freedom is no threat to China. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (14 May 2015)
<<CUT *241 (05/14/15)££ 00:09 "people without fear"
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