11/14/2024 Global (International Christian Concern) — Christian charity organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has organized an event on Nov. 20 to raise awareness of the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide.

The commemoration will include 300 events across hundreds of cities and more than 20 countries around the globe. Churches and religious sites will light up in red as a show of solidarity with those who have undergone or are currently enduring persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. 

The United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, the United States, Canada, Australia, and others are slated to participate. 

In France, the event will include testimonies from those who have endured persecution. Ireland plans to light 26 of its cathedrals in red. 

ACN Germany plans to host a concert that will be live-streamed while other nations will hold mass. Mexico and Chile also plan to participate, and from Colombia, Sister Gloria Narvaez will share her harrowing story of survival after being kidnapped by terrorists in Mali. 

ACN also plans to release its report, “Persecuted and Forgotten?” in conjunction with the event. The report details the maltreatment of Christ followers in 18 countries. According to the report, “Christian persecution has significantly worsened in most countries surveyed” between 2022 and 2024. Topics include the displacement of Christians, forced marriage of women and girls, and anti-conversion laws. Additionally, Nicaragua is included in the report for the first time due to the nation’s increased targeting of clergy for expulsion. 

ACN National Director for the United Kingdom, Dr. Caroline Hull, stated that religious liberty is an essential human right.  

“#RedWednesday is the day when we shine a light on the reality of anti-Christian persecution around the globe, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom as a fundamental human right,” Hull said. 

All are welcome to light up their churches or public buildings in red to help raise awareness of persecuted Christians. 

To read more news stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email press@persecution.org.