“Voice of the Copts, a human rights group for 15 million Egyptian Coptic Christians, will hold a News Conference on Monday August 17th at 9:30am in the Lisagor Room of the National Press Club to detail violent attacks against Coptic Christians in Egypt with the blessing of Mubarak’s regime and to demand action by Mubarak to stop such attacks. Due to 28 years of Mubarak’s refusal to take effective action, President Mubarak is responsible for these violent attacks.”
“Dottore Architetto Ashraf Ramelah, Voice of the Copts’ president, will present a bill of indictment against President Mubarak as a silent partner to murder, torture, rape & other human rights violations against Coptic Christians by violent Muslim extremists in Mubarak’s Egypt. Dr. Ramelah demands that Mubarak now begin take effective action.”
“Dr. Ashraf Ramelah said, ‘Our objective is to expose the unprovoked criminal acts and escalating human rights violations by President Mubarak and his Egyptian regime against law-abiding Coptic Christians and others in Mubarak’s Egypt. For 28 years, Mubarak has encouraged and enabled such violence by against Coptic Christians by Mubarak’s refusal to take action. At our News Conference and peaceful Rally in Washington, the Copts are finally confronting Mubarak. We urge President Obama to demand that Mubarak now take effective action to ensure human rights for Coptic Christians and others in Egypt.'”
“Dr. Ashraf Ramelah said, ‘A significant Mubarak supporter called me to ask that I cancel the Voice of the Copts News Conference in exchange for a meaningless promise. Until President Mubarak begins to take effective action to stop all Muslim extremist violence against Coptic Christians in Mubarak’s Egypt, we refuse to make any concessions. We will not negotiate with terrorists — or with terrorist enablers.'”
“Fifteen million Egyptian Coptic Christians, the Voice of the Copts, and Dr. Ashraf Ramelah demand the following from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak:”
“1. That Egyptian President Mubarak take effective action to stop the Muslim extremist torture, rape, and murder of Coptic Christian women, men & children;”
“2. That Mubarak take action to stop Muslim abductions of Coptic Christians and that Mubarak effect the return of all abducted Coptics to their families;
“3. That Mubarak take action to stop all Muslim extremist human rights violations & forced Muslim conversions against Coptic Christian women, men & children;”
“4. That President Mubarak and the Egyptian parliament immediately take action to remove all remnants of Muslim law, also known as Sharia Law, from the Egyptian constitution — or outlaw the applicability of Sharia Law against Coptic Christians and other non-Muslims in Egypt;”
“5. That President Mubarak and the Egyptian parliament take action to implement human and civil rights for Coptic Christians and other non-Muslims in Egypt equal to the rights of Muslims in Egypt — which rights are now guaranteed in Egypt’s constitution but are effectively denied by the Mubarak regime;”
“6. That President Mubarak immediately take action to guarantee life, liberty, and the pursuit of economic, religious & other happiness in Egypt by Coptic Christians and other non-Muslims – in a manner that is equal to Muslims in Egypt; and”
“7. That Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak (before he leaves Washington) pardon & release Coptic Christian priest Father Mattaos Wahba from a 5-year sentence of hard-labor imprisonment for performing a Christian marriage ceremony for a Christian man and a Christian woman (whom Mattaos did not know had converted to Christianity after being a Muslim — which may almost be a crime in Egypt).”
“Voice of the Copts president Ramelah said, ‘If Mubarak is unwilling or unable to release Father Mattaos, then Egypt’s 15 million Coptic Christians and I ask that President Obama or former President Bill Clinton fly to Egypt to persuade Mubarak — or others who are able — to release Father Mattaos from prison for the ‘crime’ of performing a Christian marriage ceremony. If Clinton can do this with North Korean President Kim Jong Il, then Clinton may be able to do this with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. After all, miracles do happen.'”
“Dr. Ramelah also said, ‘If Obama can discuss human rights for Arab Muslims in Israel and how to bring peace and prosperity for all Mid-East peoples, as Obama said when first meeting with Mubarak in Egypt, maybe Obama and Mubarak can now discuss human rights for Coptic Christians in Egypt and how to bring peace and prosperity for all peoples in Egypt. After all, miracles do happen.'”
“Voice of the Copts — along with the National American Coptic Assembly and the American Coptic Union — has scheduled a peaceful rally at the White House during President Hosni Mubarak’s visit to Washington DC to meet with President Barak H. Obama on Tuesday August 18th. The rally will begin on Tuesday at 9:00am at Pennsylvania Avenue & 17th Street NW and will then move to the White House. Mubarak and Obama may then listen and take effective action.”
Specifics on Events:
Monday August 17, 2009 Press Club Event
– 9:30 AM – National Press Club — Lisagor Room
529 14th Street, NW 13th Floor Washington, DC 20045
Telephone: 202-662-7500 Fax: 202-662-7512
– Contacts: John Edward Hurley (Hurley30@hotmail.com), Ashraf Ramelah (aramelah@voiceofthecopts.org)
– See Map and Directions – a few block away from “Metro Center” subway stop
By Washington DC Subway
* Take Metro to Metro Center.
* Take the 13th Street Exit, take escalator to 13th Street; you should be at the corner of 13th and G Streets.
* Walk one block south to F Street.
* Turn right (West) and walk one block to 14th Street
* Turn left and walk downhill to the National Press Building lobby.
* Enter and take the elevators to the 13th Floor
Parking
* The PMI garage is located on the north side of G St between 13th and 14th Streets.
* Carr Park is located at the corner of 15th and F Streets.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Protest at White House – 9 AM