Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, 
540-538-4741, 
202-547-1735

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- President Obama's failure to protect religious liberty and freedom in Iraq has resulted in persecution, violence and brutality against the Christian community along with other religious minorities.

Photo: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney meeting with Prime Minister Maliki in Baghdad

The rally and prayer vigil will be on Saturday, December 4, at 12:00 Noon in Lafayette Park across from the White House.
 
The event will include: national speakers, prayer and public witness.
 
The participants will then walk across Pennsylvania Ave. and place 62 flowers in front of the White House to honor those who lost their lives in the massacre at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad on October 31. (Watch Youtube video of massacre here:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOrpM3piaBw&feature=email)
 
Organizers say the failure of our government to protect Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq is a betrayal of America's core principles and values and betrays those who gave their lives in the fighting there.
 
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, who lead a delegation to Baghdad to meet with Prime Minister Maliki and pray for the people of Iraqi states;

"We are gathering in Lafayette Park across from the White House as a public and prophetic witness to challenge President Obama to embrace human rights and social justice and protect the Christians and other religious minorities of Iraq.
 
"President Obama's refusal to publicly address the increased violence against Christians in Iraq is a betrayal of America's core principles and a betrayal of the brave men and women who sacrificed and lost their lives in the war.
 
"Simply said, Mr. President we did not spend billions of dollars in Iraq and experience the tragic loss of so many lives to have the country digress in anarchy and have Christians and other religious minorities brutalized, persecuted and killed.
 
"Today we pray for God's mercy and grace for all those who are suffering in Iraq and we also pray for our government to fulfill their responsibility to protect religious freedom and liberty."