As you know, Falun Gong is a peaceful and non-violent form of personal belief and practice with millions of followers in China and across the world.  It is shocking in this day and age that any government would not only interfere with such practices but also forbid and systematically attempt to eradicate the practice and those who follow it.

The People's Republic of China has done just that by the propaganda from their state run media in attempts to bring hatred and discrimination throughout the region.  The government has continued to jail, torture, and even kill civilians striving for freedom and justice, proving that they have no concern for tolerance or basic human rights.  The treatment of the Falun Gong parishioners is a perfect example of the atrocities that have occurred, while cover-ups and official measures have been taken to conceal these atrocities, these acts can only go unnoticed for just so long.  It is time that light is shed on the deplorable actions, and is only with your help that we all can accomplish this task and that justice will be served.

I commend you all for being here today in support of the Falun Gong parishioners because it is with these events like today that we will be able to accomplish our goals.

I applaud the 5 New Jersey people, Jane Chen, Diana Cheng, Jane Cao, Erin Elliott, Michelle Xie, who took it upon themselves to take action and honor Falun Gong parishioners in no better way than to walk to our nation's capitol.  Your trip not only brought attention to those who have been persecuted but honor Falun Gong parishioners who walked thousands of miles to Beijing to make peaceful appeals to their government only to be jailed, tortured and to loose their lives.  I cannot even imagine the conditions these people faced walking through the intense summer heat, pouring rain, and blistered feet I'm sure, but they were determined and compelled by their sense of responsibility to society and their fellow man.

So today we honor Falun Gong parishioners and supporters for their courage, unselfishness and commitment to liberty and justice, we must not forget that these atrocities are still occurring today and even escalating by some accounts.  I pray for those who are still in custody who have not given up hope.  It is our responsibility to insure that we keep the pressure on and the oppressors know that the human rights violations and in-humane treatment of Falun Gong parishioners will not be stood for.  It is our only way to display to those who have suffered, that their efforts are not in vain.  Their voices have been heard and we are listening.

I will not read them but today I have two different proclamations.  One is a proclamation that absolutely goes against what the Republic of China is doing in China to its people, the parishioners of Falun Gong.   The second is to celebrate the wonderful things these people from New Jersey have done by coming down to our nation's capitol.

Thank you.

Posting date: 8/30/2001
Original article date: 8/16/2001
Category: Worldwide Support

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