Since Essex County's subsidiary cities Newark, Irvington, Milburn and Belleville passed resolutions to condemn the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government, the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously adopted a resolution Condemning China's Persecution of Falun Gong Practitioners on October 17, 2001. The County Board of Chosen Freeholders held a ceremony to issue the resolution and local practitioners were invited to attend the ceremony. A Falun Gong representative gave a speech thanking the officials for their support of Falun Gong. Practitioners believe that once all kind people work together and support each other, justice will prevail over evil. In the resolution, the Essex Country Board of Chosen Freeholders called upon the Government of the People's Republic of China to cease its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners immediately, to dismiss the notorious government "6-10" offices throughout China, and to immediately release all Falun Gong practitioners from detention.