4,000 Catholics were beaten by police as they protested against the government allowing the contamination of seventy tons of fish from waste dumped into the sea. The pollution was caused by Formosa Plastic Group, a steel company. Christian fishing families affected by the pollution marched on municipal offices in Ky Anh, but were blocked and beaten by police, leaving several injured by truncheon blows. Officials deny that police used violence, saying people were injured because of the size of the crowd. International Christian Concern noted that the dying fish have left many families in a state of panic as fishing is a vital and important source of income and food. Pollution will also have an impact on the economy if the situation continues without proper counter-measures. Please also pray for an end to Vietnam’s harassment and intimidation of religious minorities as countless Christian pastors remain in prison merely for their beliefs.