WASHINGTON, DC (ANS) -- A minister who was arrested in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, during the 2008 Summer Olympics will honor those who died during the student uprising in June, 1989.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney will leave roses at the entrance to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, to honor those killed during the Tiananmen Square massacre, and also to pray for those who are being brutalized under the current Chinese regime today.

During the 2008 Summer Olympics Rev. Mahoney joined with Christian leaders Brandi Swindell and Michael McMonagle to hold the first ever public faith service in Tiananmen Square to honor the victims of the massacre. They were dragged out of Tiananmen Square twice, arrested and finally deported.

June 4 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre and, in remembrance of those who died in that incident, and to bring attention to those who still face persecution in China, Rev. Mahoney will leave the flowers outside of the Chinese Embassy, at 2300 Connecticut Ave. NW, on Thursday, June 4, at 11:00 A.M.

In the news release, Mahoney, who is Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states: “Today we honor all those who were brutally massacred by the Chinese government 20 years ago in Tiananmen Square.

“Their only crime was speaking out for human rights and democratic freedoms. I will also be praying for the millions in China who today are being persecuted, intimidated and brutalized because of their faith traditions and political beliefs.”

Mahoney goes on to say: “As a nation, we must never forget the price these heroic students paid in their struggle for freedom and justice. One of the great honors of my 32 years in ministry, was helping organize the first ever public faith service in Tiananmen Square to honor their courage, boldness and faith.”

For more information and interviews, call Mahoney directly at 202.547.1735 or on his Cellphone: 540.538. 4741

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania and the former Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia, Israel,and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.'