Friends of Falun Gong USA and Congressman Ben Gilman Host Asian Heritage Celebration on Capitol Hill

Dancers perform in traditional Tang Dynasty costume

Washington DC, May 24, 2002--Congressional representatives, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and old and new friends of Falun Gong alike gathered Thursday evening in the Rayburn Office building for a reception celebrating Asian Heritage Month. The crowd of 500-600 wore nametags calligraphed on rice paper and enjoyed authentic Chinese cuisine and a traditional tea ceremony as dancers and musicians performed.

"Friends of Falun Gong USA wanted to thank our fellow human rights organizations and friends on Capitol Hill for their unwavering support of our efforts to end the persecution of Falun Gong," explained Alan Adler, FoFG USA's Executive Director. "Tonight, as we celebrate China's rich heritage, we hope that all people will be free to enjoy their native culture and spiritual pursuits as they wish, without fear of reprisal. As we approach the date marking three years since the ban on Falun Gong, July 20th, we'll continue to work closely with our supporters from all walks of life, to make freedom of conscience a reality."

Rep Ben Gilman, being interviewed

Rep. Jim Moran, with supporter

Rep. Donald Payne, with attendees

Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-20th, NY), a powerful, longtime supporter of human rights for Falun Gong practitioners in China and many other groups, invited some of his colleagues to the event. Those in attendance were Congresspersons Donald Payne (D-10th, NJ), Connie Morella (R-8th, MD), Wayne Gilcrest (R-1st, MD), Roscoe Bartlett (R-6th, MD), and James Moran (D-8th, VA).

Supporters from NGOs included human rights activist Harry Wu, Executive Director of The Laogai Research Foundation, who stopped by with his wife and baby. Mr Wu recently returned from an attempt to visit Hong Kong, having been denied entry by local authorities.

Gregory Fossedal, Executive Director, and Ken Brown, of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, recalled last year's rally at the capitol in support of Falun Gong, at which Ken Brown encouraged the Chinese government to use the opportunities afforded by the WTO and UN to prove it can work with all people.

Also joining the festivities were Tiffany Heath, Legislative Director of Church Women United; Morton Sklar, Executive Director, World Organization Against Torture USA; Shari Doi, staff from National Organization for Women (NOW); members of the Lawyers Committee For Human Rights, and Jeffrey Elting, MD, MS, MPH, Colonel, Medical Corps, US Army, Office of the Surgeon General.

The attendees admired art by renowned Chinese painter Zhang Cuiying, herself a victim of the oppression of Falun Gong, and dance performances by women in traditional Tang Dynasty dress who flowed gracefully around the room. They also demonstrated the standing Falun Gong exercises, a series of gentle, yet powerful movements. "They're being persecuted for this?" one of the guests was heard to ask.

The congenial atmosphere, excellent food and cultural celebration contributed to a successful, well-attended and fun event, the first purely social event Friends of Falun Gong USA has hosted. "I'm looking forward to the next one" one guest remarked, "celebrating the end of the persecution."

( From http://www.fofg.org/fofg/campaigns/asian_heritage_dc.html )

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