Chinese officials return to demolish church, the protest grows as tension rises
Hundreds of Christians returned have returned their blockade around the Sanjang Church in China to protect the facility from demolition by government officials. ICC, International Christian Concern, says that number has now grown to thousands forming a human shield around the building just after official agreed to leave the church alone.
Earlier this month, the church was targeted after refusing to remove a cross. The subsequent protest ended as officials agreed to leave the grounds, church untouched, if they demolish several floors of their elderly care facility.
“The government has decided to remove the cross on the roof and change the first floor of the church to be a parking lot,” the ICC sources state, before detailing China’s plan for the church conversion and demolition.
“We resolutely oppose the government’s actions to demolish the cross and to demolish the church because the demolition doesn’t have documents from the central government, Zhejiang province, or anything. The demolition is relying on someone’s word. It has no legal basis. We are resolutely defending the church’s legitimate rights, and will not allow the government to take such uncivilized actions,” said Brother Wen told Voice of America.
A church member who identified himself as Brother Jin said protecting the church’s large cross is the highest priority.
“Right now, no matter what, we must protect the church and the cross. The cross is the baseline of Christianity and our church;it is also a symbol of our faith,” said Brother Jin.
The scene is escalating with police closing the nearby roads, but no reports of physical removal of any church members. ChinaAid reports that seven other churches in the area are facing demolition.