Pastor faces criminal charges following protest at Chinese Embassy

The Rev. Patrick Mahoney, leader of the Christian Defense Coalition, was arraigned in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on Wednesday to face a charge of unlawful entry. The charge stems from a September 28 protest held on a public sidewalk outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. During the arraignment, which Mahoney attended by phone from Idaho, a judge issued a stay-away order prohibiting him from returning to the site until the case concludes. The next court date is scheduled for November 20.

Mahoney, who pleaded not guilty, expressed disappointment regarding the legal proceedings and the restrictions placed upon his ability to demonstrate. Represented by the American Center for Law and Justice, Mahoney and his legal team argue that the arrest violates First Amendment protections for public forums. Attorney Jordan Sekulow stated that the defense intends to challenge the charges, asserting that Mahoney was peacefully praying and holding signs at the time of his arrest. The protest occurred following a visit to the United States by Chinese President Xi Jinping.