Asa Hutchinson: “Jerry Canfield, long-time city attorney in Ft. Smith, and his wife Meg have been held in custody by the Laotian…”

“Jerry Canfield, long-time city attorney in Ft. Smith, and his wife Meg have been held in custody by the Laotian government since last Friday. They were arrested along with one other American and 40 Laotians. What was their crime? They were helping Laotians build water systems. But could it also be that they were peacefully assembling to exercise freedom of religion, freedoms that we in a democratic Nation exercise routinely? The Americans have been released, but what about the 40 Laotians who are still in custody? It is my hope and prayer that these Laotians will be released as well and that the Laotian government recognize that freedom works, not just in America but throughout the world.”