(Clearwisdom.net) Central News Agency reporter Tseng Chih-Yuan reports from New York on February 7: Approximately 500 Falun Gong practitioners gathered in Salt Lake City during the Winter Olympics to jointly appeal. This morning they paraded through the city. This evening and tomorrow evening there are several candlelight vigils taking place. This is to appeal to all Olympic contestants and representatives from all over the world to stop China from persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. Falun Gong spokesperson Zhang Xuerong indicated by telephone that the appeals process was peaceful and the media have received Falun Gong practitioners' Open Letter.

Falun Gong practitioners from all over the world are participating in this event. They represent the countries of Canada, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States and other countries around the globe.

Falun Gong practitioners in Salt Lake City had sent an open letter through email, to appeal to all participants of the Olympics to protect the Olympic spirit and help stop the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. This open letter quoted the International Olympic Committee's mission statement, "The Olympics let people meet in peace, and follow world-recognized moral principles." [Unofficial translation] The practitioners' message emphasized that Falun Gong supports the Olympic spirit, and practitioners are willing to contribute to the peaceful settings of the Winter Olympics of Salt Lake City.

Zhang Xuerong indicates the open letter was not only sent through Internet. Thousands of media representatives from every country also received this open letter. It should be helpful to Falun Gong's appeal.