New York, NY – The 74th United Nations General Assembly began Monday, September 23, 2019, and ends September 30. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence took the opportunity to speak about the importance of religious freedom around the world.
We cannot think of a better way to begin a week of meetings for the U.N. (even if the meetings are mostly a waste of time). Religious persecution is often covered by our writers here at the Citizen Press, but generally only within the United States. The Trump administration is calling for the world to focus on people facing religious persecution, whether it is cultural differences, government oppression, or acts of terror.
Americans have always believed our first freedom, is the freedom of religion.
Vice President Mike Pence, U.N. General Assembly, September 23, 2019
Pence cited that more than 80% of the world’s population lives in countries with some limitation on religious freedom. He then proceeded to identify some of the worst offenders, including ISIS, Iran, the Communist Party in China, and Venezuela. Before introducing the President, Pence asserted that no matter a person’s faith, “Americans have always believed our first freedom, is the freedom of religion.”
Following Pence, Trump went on to discuss the importance of religious liberty and thank several survivors of religious persecution for attending.
Trump went on to call for the end of religious persecution around the world.
Today, with one clear voice, the United States of America calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution,” said Trump. “Stop the crimes against people of faith. Release prisoners of conscience. Repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief. Protect the vulnerable, the defenseless, and the oppressed.
President Donald Trump, U.N. General Assembly, September 23, 2019
After Trump and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres spoke, three survivors of religious persecution around the world told their stories.
We can only hope the focus on religious freedom continues because something must change. God bless America, and God bless those living under religious persecution.
You can watch the video, courtesy of CNBC below:
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