United States: On July 20th, Falun Gong Practitioners from Around the World Gather in Washington DC to Oppose the Persecution

On July 21st, 2005, more than a thousand Falun Gong practitioners from around the world gathered in the US capital, Washington DC to hold a series of activities including a rally, parade and candlelight vigil, to expose and condemn the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party. At the same time, they called for people from all walks of life to help stop the CCP's state-run terrorism and continuing brutal persecution of Falun Gong.

Group practice in front of Capitol Hill

At 9:00 a.m., in front of Capitol Hill in Washington DC, Falun Gong practitioners held a large-scale group practice, beginning a series of anti-persecution activities that are held annually here on July 20th. At noon, Freedom House, Friends of Falun Gong and the Falun Dafa Association jointly held a big rally and parade. Several US congressmen and renowned human rights leaders came to support.

Anti-persecution rally

On July 20, 1999, the CCP regime, driven by Jiang Zemin, began a brutal six-year persecution of more than 100 million people in China who cultivate "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." Since then, Falun Gong practitioners worldwide have come to Washington DC around July 20 to hold a series of activities to oppose and draw attention to the persecution.

Anti-persecution rally

Falun Gong practitioners participating in the rally made the point that the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong is entirely based on lies. Over the past six years, Falun Gong practitioners inside and outside China have been tenaciously and persistently let people know the facts. More and more people have seen through the CCP's evil nature. They have broken away from it, opposed it and have ceased assisting it to do evil deeds.

One of the coordinators of the activity Ms. Ge said that since the persecution began, practitioners in Washington DC have been using various peaceful means to help the people learn the truth about Falun Gong and the brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners taking place in Mainland China. She said, "Every time we held activities, many people learned about the truth and would sign the petition to support us. The US congress unanimously passed Resolution No. 188 three years ago, urging the CCP to stop the persecution of Falun Gong. And last year, the House of Representatives also unanimously passed Resolution No. 304, prohibiting the CCP from exporting the persecution of Falun Gong to the US."

Ms. Ge told the reporter, "Since London's terrorist bombing incident, the police everywhere reinforce their guard, but you see, more than a thousand people gather here, not a single police office came around. This is because they trust Falun Gong. They know that where Falun Gong practitioners gather will be peaceful and in good order."

Grand parade procession with the message "Stop the Persecution" sets off from Capitol Hill