Landmarks will be lit up red tonight to highlight the persecution of Christians, as part of the annual Red Wednesday campaign.
Last year, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye were among the landmarks illuminated to draw attention to the plight of Christians who are persecuted or killed for their beliefs around the world.
Tonight, the Palace of Westminster will be illuminated again, alongside Lambeth Palace and at least 10 cathedrals across the UK, while a red London bus will be emblazoned with slogans such as #RedWednesday.
Injustice
The campaign is organised by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which works to defend freedom of religion for all, but especially Christians, who are the most persecuted religious group in the world.
CSW said on its website: “On 22 November, churches and public buildings across the UK and around the world will light up in red as a sign of solidarity with persecuted Christians.”
Trevor Harrison, who lobbied his local MP to endorse the campaign, said: “Turning Parliament red is a wonderful way to get the message about religious freedom to as wide an audience as possible.
“We all need to get behind #RedWednesday – we need to stand together against violence carried out in the name of religion – we need to speak up about regimes which persecute people of faith.”
Freedom
Kiri Kankhwende, writing for Christian Today, said: “#RedWednesday is a powerful and symbolic way to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world, and to stand for faith and freedom for all, defending the right of every person to be able to choose, change and practise their religion.
This year, the campaign’s call will also be taken up by churches in the US, Iraq, Malta and Gibraltar, while in the Philippines, more than 70 cathedrals and churches have committed to being floodlit red.
Last year, ACN said its aim was “to honour those who have suffered and died because of their religion, and stand in solidarity with millions of people, targeted for their beliefs and living in fear”.