San Antonio Express-News: Falun Gong followers demonstrate in S.A.

By Sonja Garza

Thursday, December 11, 2003

San Antonio Express-News

With a sign proclaiming the three principles of Falun Gong in the foreground, local followers demonstrated in front of City Hall on Wednesday to call attention to those who have been persecuted for the spiritual practice.

Outlawed in China in 1999 as a threat to communist rule, Falun Gong is a spiritual movement that combines slow-motion exercises, meditation and moral teachings.

"It's a mind and body practice for self-improvement," said Hongyi Pan, a demonstrator who has practiced Falun Gong for several years. "It's not a religion."

Standing with their eyes closed, demonstrators performed several tranquil exercises that consisted of a series of arm movements said to promote relaxation and generate energy.

Pan and a handful of Falun Gong followers held the demonstration Wednesday to coincide with International Human Rights Day.

They displayed photographs of people they say were killed or persecuted by the Chinese government for practicing Falun Gong.

Supporters of the movement claim hundreds of practitioners have been killed and thousands have been beaten, tortured, imprisoned or sent to labor camps or mental hospitals.

One of those being held is American citizen Charles Li, a California businessman and friend of Pan.

Opponents of Falun Gong have called the movement a cult, but Pan disputes that.

Also known as Falun Dafa, Falun Gong's three basic principles are truthfulness, compassion and tolerance, he said.

Trish Sutherland, a local practitioner, said a Falun Gong group meets at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at the Unlimited Thought Bookstore on Blanco Road. Sutherland said she is trying to start another group in the Canyon Lake area.

For more information about Falun Gong, call (210) 286-0511.

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