A recent Russian Supreme Court ruling forbade Jehovah’s Witnesses from practicing their religion, as they were deemed to be an “extremist group.” Jehovah’s Witnesses across the world, including senior Melany Bohorquez and Mount Vernon senior Estefany Castro, wrote letters to the Kremlin, pleading to allow Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia to practice freely prior to the ruling.

“The letter thing was a campaign Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world participated in to send to Russian officials for the sake of our brothers and sisters who would be affected by our banning,” Bohorquez said.

Castro compared the attitude in Russia towards Witnesses with the United States.

“If in the United States, in DC they preach right in front of the White House, right near the security guards and those security guards don’t do anything to them, they even talk to them, that shows that they are not people to be afraid of,” said Castro.

Although dangerous, Bohorquez said her fellow Witnesses will continue to practice their faith in secret.

“Now that we are banned the brothers and sisters won’t be able to speak of their faith, read our Bible-based literature, or have meetings,” Bohorquez said. “They will continue to do so in secret because we believe that obedience to God is more important than obedience to government but the risks are very high.”