Hanoi, Vietnam, Apr 11, 2008 / 06:06 am
A standoff between protestors and police at a Redemptorist monastery in Hanoi continued yesterday as the state-owned media accused the Catholic demonstrators of occupying state-owned land, gathering and praying illegally in public areas, illegally erecting crucifixes and icons of the Virgin Mary, and disturbing public order.
Father J.B. An Dang informed CNA that the New Hanoi newspaper also accused the protestors of taking advantage of religious freedom to stir up protests against the government.
Vietnamese Catholics have sought the return of property confiscated by the government and have been demonstrating at the Redemptorist monastery since January, 2008.
The hostile media coverage has increased fears among the demonstrators that a police crackdown is imminent.