Over 5,000 are expected in Washington DC for four-day event to expose former Chinese Communist leader's persecution of Falun Gong. (special report)
WASHINGTON DC (FDI) -- Four years ago in China on July 20, men and women throughout the country who volunteered their time to setup Falun Gong practise sites in public parks were taken from their homes in the middle of the night. It was the beginning of a persecution campaign -- launched by former Chinese Communist leader Jiang Zemin -- against the ancient Chinese exercise and meditation discipline.
Four years later, Chinese government sources indicate thousands have died from torture and abuse in China. (reports / sources) More than 100,000 languish in labour camps, sentenced without trial. Millions of ordinary Chinese citizens have been arbitrarily detained, harassed, fired from their jobs, or expelled from school -- all simply because they practise Falun Gong.
Rally for Human Rights, Freedom and Justice
Over 5,000 people from across North America, Europe and Asia are expected to converge on the nation's capital this weekend to participate in a series of events beginning Saturday with an outdoor concert and culminating with a rally on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, July 22, hosted by former U.S. Ambassador Mark Palmer.
Spanning four days, the events aim to expose the Chinese Communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong and the role of the former Chinese leader, Jiang Zemin, as the driving force behind the persecution. (special report)
Chinese Agents Extend Persecution to U.S. Soil
Included among the activities is a House briefing on Monday, July 21, held by the office of Congressman Henry Hyde, Chair of the House International Relations Committee. The briefing will look into a recent assault case in New York City where Falun Gong practitioners were attacked by Chinese association heads known to have close ties to the Chinese government. (news)
Witnesses and government officials are calling the attack a hate crime, and part of a larger, systematic effort by Chinese regime agents to persecute Falun Gong in the U.S. (special report)
Date: Saturday, July 19
Event: Light and Peace Concert with Candlelight Vigil
Time: 10:00am -- 10:00pm
Location: Capitol Reflection Pool in between US Capitol building and 3rd Street NW, DC
Contacts: Lisa Fan 703-304-7929 (Chinese, English), Jared 407-415-8384 (English)
Date: Monday, July 21
Event: March from Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol
Time: 11:30am -- 1:00pm
Starting Location: Washington Monument, DC
Contacts: Mindy Ge 202-669-9437 or Bin Xue 240-731-4782
Date: Monday, July 21
Event: House International Relations Committee Briefing on Hate Crimes against Falun Gong in U.S.
Time: 2:00pm -- 3:00pm
Location: Rayburn Building, Room 2200
Contacts: Gail Rachlin 917-757-9780
Date: Monday, July 21
Event: Candlelight Vigil
Time: 7:00pm -- 8:30pm
Location: Washington Monument, DC
Contacts: Mindy Ge 202-669-9437 or Bin Xue 240-731-4782
Date: Monday, July 21
Event: Cultural/Social/Art Exhibition Events
Time: 9:00am -- 8:00pm
Location: Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Ave and 14th Street NW, Washington, DC)
Contacts: Su Jing 301-792-2763
Date: Tuesday, July 22
Event: People's Tribunal of Jiang Zemin and Public Rally
Time: 10:30am -- 12:30pm People's Tribunal; 12:30pm -- 2:30pm Public Rally
Location: Lower West Terrace Lawn of the US Capitol (between Capitol Hill and the reflecting pool)
Contacts: Keith Ware 202-256-4705, Lijuan Zhang 202-285-7675
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practise of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance.” It is a practise that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practises such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practised in over 50 countries.
With government estimates of as many as 100 million practising Falun Gong, China’s President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practise in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang’s regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practise while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practise it.
The Falun Dafa Information Centre has verified details of 746 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps, typically without trial.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTRE
Contacts: Gail Rachlin (+001 917-501-4441), Levi Browde (+001 914-720-0963), Erping Zhang (+001 646-533-6147), or Feng Yuan (+001 917-941-1097).
Fax: +001 646-792-3916
Email: [email protected]
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