Orange County Residents Join 1,639 Southern Californians at Human Rights and Religious Freedom Conference
by: Sarah Sanchez
Published: July 21, 2026
ANAHEIM...Approximately 1,639 Southern California youth, scholars, religious freedom advocates, and community members—including more than 350 residents from Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, and neighboring Orange County communities—gathered on Saturday, July 18, for a conference examining religious freedom, human rights, and the protection of minority faith communities.
Hosted by Shincheonji John Tribe Los Angeles Church, the event, "Voices for Human Rights and Religious Freedom," brought together attendees from across Southern California, along with more than 300 online participants from across the United States and Canada.
Organizers said the conference was prompted by growing international concern surrounding the recent pretrial detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee in South Korea. Through presentations from internationally recognized scholars and religious freedom experts, attendees explored broader issues of due process, constitutional rights, and freedom of religion.
Featured speakers included scholars from Hong Kong Institute for Culture, Commerce and Religion, The Institute for the Study of American Religion, and McGill University and Concordia University.
"This is a vivid example of harassment and excessive use of prosecutorial power," Dr. Edward Irons said during his keynote address. "Chairman Lee is a 95-year-old man; there is no risk of flight or non-cooperation."
In addition to the presentations, attendees toured the Anaheim temple and an exhibition highlighting the church's history, educational programs, volunteer service, and humanitarian efforts.
Organizers said the conference aimed to encourage greater public awareness of religious freedom and the importance of protecting the rights of all faith communities. While the legal proceedings are taking place overseas, they noted that the issue has had a personal impact on many Southern California residents with family members, friends, and fellow church members in South Korea. Photos:Shincheonji John Tribe Los Angeles Church