FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 25, 2002 [ http://www.faluninfo.net/ ]
Concert at Constitution Hall Celebrates Chinese Tradition and the
Hope and Spirit of Falun Gong
á
á
Thousands rallied on at the nation's capitol Tuesday to call for an end
of China's persecution of Falun Gong. |
|
|
WASHINGTON DC, July 25, 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Center) -- Thousands of supporters and
practitioners of Falun Gong rallied on Capitol Hill Tuesday calling for the world's support in
putting an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China. The rally marks three years since the
Chinese regime outlawed Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. The resulting campaign to destroy Falun Gong
has since devastated millions of innocent lives and families, but practitioners of the spiritual
practice all over the world continue to peacefully but staunchly resist the oppression.
The gathering at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. followed a weekend of cultural
events and demonstrations, including performances of traditional Chinese music and dance in the
Constitution Concert Hall.
Rally Welcomed by Bipartisan Support from the House
á
Former U.S. Ambassador Mark Palmer hosted the rally, introducing
supporters from congress and human rights groups, and others. |
|
|
Tuesday's rally began in the mid afternoon heat after more than one thousand Falun
Gong practitioners completed a symbolic march from the Chinese (PRC) Embassy to the West Lawn of the
Capitol building. They carried banners reading, "Together we end the persecution," and
"America: We thank you for your support."
Former US Ambassador Mark Palmer, Vice-Chairman of the Board of the human rights
organization Freedom House, hosted the rally, which included speeches and statements from several
congresspersons, dignitaries, and representatives of non-governmental religious and human rights
organizations.
Representative Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), who is also Chairman Emeritus of the House
International Relations Committee, received a standing ovation from the crowd for his long-term
support. "China's suppression of Falun Gong is systematic and thorough. They wish to destroy
the religion and the practitioners; the Chinese regime fears the popular appeal of your
movement," he said to the crowd. He continued, "If the regime in Beijing wants to take its
place among civilized nations, it must end the repression and persecution the Falun Gong and other
religions, and end it now."
á
Practitioners from around the world demonstrate the Falun Gong
exercises during Tuesday's rally. |
|
|
Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights, was another who received a rousing welcome from the Falun Gong practitioners in
attendance as she is the representative who had initiated Resolution 188 in the House, calling on
the Beijing regime to stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. The resolution was co-sponsored by
100 offices when it went before the House Tuesday. During the rally, Ros-Lehtinen addressed
onlookers, saying, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women
to do nothing. Therefore, I call on my colleagues to render their support to the Falun Gong."
The next day, Wednesday July 24th, the resolution passed by a 420-0 vote.
Practitioners Express Thanks for Growing Worldwide Support
Spokesperson for Falun Dafa, Gail Rachlin, said during the rally: "To those
of you who are here with us today, on behalf of the millions of Falun Gong practitioners the world
over, and the many millions in China who suffer as we speak, I would like to thank you. And thank
you deeply. Your support has been simply remarkable. As United States representatives, civic
leaders, and leading non-governmental institutions, you have taken a stand for justice, and we are
grateful. You, too, have faced pressure and difficulty. And you, too, have touched our hearts. You
have given us hope and strength, just as you have given the same to the people of China."
Among those representing NGO's were Yuri Mantilla of the Family Research Council
(FRC), Reverend Clark Lobestine of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), Olga
Vives of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious
Action Center of Reform Judaism who is also former Commissioner of the United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom.
Similar rallies and events to mark the third year of the persecution against
Falun Gong were held in cities around the world, including Paris, London, Munich, Brussels, Dublin,
Seoul, Taipei, Canberra, Melbourne, Auckland, Ottawa, as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Most
notably, a rally was also held in Hong Kong, where many human freedoms are currently under threat
from pressure from Beijing. Hong Kong officially reverted from British rule to Chinese rule five
years ago, but is legally bound to be governed under "one country, two systems" for
another 45 years. Hong Kong residents have expressed dismay at the mounting pressure from the
Mainland's leaders to adopt the policy of repression toward Falun Gong and other spiritual groups.
"Sounds of Brilliance and Promise" Concert
An evening of traditional Chinese music and dance welcomed attendees to Monday
evening's "Sounds of Brilliance and Promise" concert at the Constitution Concert Hall.
Performances included traditional Chinese instruments such as erhu and guzhen (a kind
of Chinese zither), graceful dances, and traditional costumes.
á
Traditional Chinese dancers perform in the "Sounds of
Brilliance and Promise" concert at the Constitution Hall. |
|
|
One of the highlights of the concert was a song by a dozen Western Falun Dafa practitioners who had
traveled to Tiananmen Square in Beijing to appeal to the Chinese regime to stop its persecution. The
song, sung in Chinese, was a heartfelt plea to the people of China not to miss this chance to uphold
something so beneficial to China, to embrace something that reflects China's rich heritage, and to
support Falun Dafa, just as the rest of the world supports Falun Dafa.
Host Michael Mahonen explained the idea behind the concert: "We wanted to
give people in Washington [DC] a chance to enjoy the rich culture from the homeland country in which
Falun Gong originated." Monday's performers, some professional, others amateur, all have one
thing in common: they engage in the spiritual practice of Falun Gong.
á
Ms. Ying Chen directs an orchestral ensemble that includes her parents,
who were decorated with China's highest recognition for their musical achievement. Ying and her
parents practice Falun Gong in the U.S., but her brother was detained in a labor camp in China for
two years for his beliefs. |
|
|
The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of the song Falun Dafa Hao (Falun Dafa is
Good), echoing the very same words written on banners routinely displayed by peaceful appealers on
Tiananmen Square.
In China, however, that same song would likely land the singers in a prison labor
camp without trial. |
# # #
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises
with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It
is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by
Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate
from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992,
it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.
With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong,
China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, fearful of anything
touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit
of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's
regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while
quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.
The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 438 deaths since the
persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report
that the actual death toll is well over 1,600. Over 100,000 have been detained, with more than
20,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps without trial.
á
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER- Contacts: Gail
Rachlin 917-501-4441, Erping Zhang 646-533-6147, Adam Montanaro 917-405-4507, or Feng Yuan
646-523-5676. Email:
faluninfoctr@nycmail.com,
Website:
http://www.faluninfo.net/