Clearwisdom HomeWelcome Note...News & Media ReportsViews on CultivationTruth Clarification
About Falun EmblemFalun Dafa WorldwideCultivation ExperiencesFa RectificationScientific Findings
To Fellow Practitioners
on November 30
 
Article Selections
Articles with Master's Comments
Cultivation Within Fa Rectification
Righteous Beliefs and Actions
Exposing the Crimes of Jiang Zemin
Sending Forth Righteous Thoughts
Prophecies
Tiananmen Self-Immolation Incident
Announcements
 
Recognition & Support
Worldwide Support
Awards and Recognition
 
Photo Archive
Evidence of Persecution
 
The Persecution
326 Practitioners Killed in Persecution
SOS! Urgent Rescue
Exposing the Crimes of Masanjia Labor Camp
Latest News from China
Eye Witness Accounts
Solemn Declarations
Evil Deeds Provoke Retribution
Weekly Crisis Bulletins
Human Rights Violation Reports
Human Rights Weekly Update
How to Help
 
Download Materials
Flyers & Handouts
Publications
Information Packages
Audio/Video
Links to Other Libraries
 
Important Links
FalunDafa.org
FalunInfo.net
PureInsight.org
ClearHarmony.net
SOS! Global RescueWalk
Friends of Falun Gong
FGM TV
 
Contact Us
Editor
Web Team
Submissions Welcome
Daily Posting Subscription
 
Search - Help
  
Advanced Search
 
"Clarify the truth thoroughly, eliminate the evil with righteous thoughts, save all beings, and safeguard the Fa with determination" (Dafa is Indestructible)

The State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL): Falun Gong quietly brings message to Statehouse

November 15, 2001 Thursday

   The interruption was brief, but ironic.

   As a handful of Falun Gong practitioners meditated silently in front of the State Capitol Wednesday morning, more than 100 members of Service Employees International Union Local 880 marched past, screaming into megaphones and chanting in unison as they entered the building. The meditators, sitting with their eyes closed and facing east toward Capitol Avenue, never flinched.

   "Everybody spreads their message in a different way," said Tai, a Chicago banker who made the trip south in support of Falun Gong. "Falun Gong is about inner peace and focus."

   Tai and other fans of Falun Gong, a meditation exercise that originated in northeastern China, came to Springfield to demonstrate their methods while admonishing the [Jiang Zemin's] government for trying to abolish it.

   Wednesday's event was part protest, part demonstration, part press conference.

   To raise public awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, a handful of practitioners left Chicago on Nov. 7 to walk to Springfield. The "Walk Through Illinois for Falun Gong" concluded with the press conference.

   Overall, the participants passed through 30 cities, meeting with local people and spreading their message.

   "This walk symbolizes the great courage demonstrated by Falun Gong practitioners in China as they bravely face government-sanctioned torture," said spokesman Minzi Pan.

   According to the release, human-rights groups have reported that more than 100,000 practitioners in China have been arrested and 308 have been killed.

   Falun Gong supporters say Chinese President Jiang Zemin fears the Falun Gong undermines his authority.

   "When in fact it is merely an exercise that improves mental and physical health," said Tai. "The thing about America is that we are able to do this without pressure. The people in China are being persecuted for the same thing."

   Secretary of State Police reported no problems with the daylong demonstration.

   Also known as Falun Dafa, Falun Gong is a slow-moving, relaxing exercise combined with teachings of [Master Li Hongzhi]. The exercise has its own Web site, www.falundafa.org.

Posting date: 12/20/2001
Original article date: 11/15/2001
Category: News & Media Reports

 Yearly Archive  Printer Version

_____Related Articles_____