On February 9, 2009, Christian human rights' attorney Gao Zhisheng was taken away from his home, his family, his life, by members of the Chinese government. That was 674 days ago. Since then, no one can say for sure where they are keeping him or how he is being treated.
His only crime? Standing up for those that were being persecuted.
According to FreeGao.com, Gao is a two-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize [2008 + 2010], plus he was honored as "one of China’s top 10 lawyers by the Ministry of Justice in 2001 for his work defending victims of medical malpractice and farmers whose land had been seized for redevelopment," says an article in the NYT dating back to February of this year.
The article goes on to say that Gao was arrested in 2005 for 54 days for similar charges [i.e. anything against the Communist Party] and publicized the details of his time in jail: "He was shocked and beaten almost continuously, he wrote, or forced to sit motionless, enveloped by blinding lights. By the end, he said, 'the skin all over my body had turned black.'"
Gao Zhisheng has been "missing by force" since 2009.
So what can we do about it?
1. Remember Gao and his family in your prayers. Go before our Heavenly Father on behalf on Gao - ask that he remains bold in his faith, his family will be abounding with the peace of God which transcends all understanding, and that his life is a living, breathing testimony and reflection of the glory of God.
2. Sign the petition. It only takes a minute or two. Add your name to the 140,000 + who have already voiced their support for Gao. Every signature matters.
3. Send a message to our U.S. Representatives or the Chinese government officials and media sources. Tell them we have not forgotten Gao and the "power of freedom and human rights" [FreeGao.com]. Unlike J. Mayer's catchy "Waiting on the World to Change," let's intentionally move towards creating that change.
Have a fantastic weekend,
Lorin
[Via: http://bitsandbytesofbob.blogspot.com/]
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