United States: Missouri State University Professors and Students Sign Petition to Rescue Falun Gong Practitioners in China

On September 24th, an activity entitled "Help Rescue My Mom and My Aunt from China" was held by students at Missouri State University at the Bear Paw Square in Springfield, Missouri. The purpose of the activity was to collect signatures to rescue the mother and aunt of Pang Jin, who were arrested for practicing Falun Gong. The local media reported the event, and the university newspaper published large photos, calling upon students and professors to help.

Photo in the university newspaper, The Standard

Collecting signatures

Signing to support Falun Gong

The activity lasted the whole day, and collected more than 1000 signatures. Many students, after learning what has been happening in China, helped practitioners voluntarily.

Will, a senior, talked to practitioners, and learned about the persecution and what Falun Gong is. He decided to help. He put on a Falun Gong T-shirt, which read "Falun Dafa is good." When people were hurrying on their way to class and didn't have time to listen, Will shouted from a distance "We are trying to rescue Pang Jin's family members who are being persecuted in China. If you knew about it, you would take a minute to sign the petition." Many people stopped and signed. They also expressed that they would tell their classmates about the petition drive.

Sara, a first year student studying anthropology, told a reporter for the university newspaper the following story: "Last week, on my way to class, a girl gave me a flyer. I didn't have time to read it carefully and told her I would get back with her. After I read it carefully, I was shocked. I went back and signed my name. I also decided to help her and other innocent Falun Gong practitioners. This is very important. The whole world should be concerned about it. I have told many friends of mine about it," she said "I uploaded the photos of Falun Gong practitioners' being tortured to my Facebook. My friends were all shocked."

Mary, a student majoring in media, wrote on the banner: "China, get back your humanity; Change comes from every one of us." She is interested in Chinese culture and had heard about Falun Gong. She said: "Falun Gong is the essence of Chinese culture. It is good that practitioners pass it on. People need belief in China and this persecution is not tolerable."

Almost every professor and student passing by signed their names. They were shocked by the persecution and said that the American people and government should help to stop it.