FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 17, 2002 [ http://www.faluninfo.net/ ]
Now Available:
Congressional Resolution Condemns Illicit Action by Chinese on U.S. Soil
"Freedom Under Attack," A Special Report from the Falun Dafa Information Center
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"The Chinese government, not content with persecuting the Falun Gong in China, has [urged] local U.S. officials to shun or even persecute them right here in America. The approach... tends to combine gross disinformation with scare tactics and, in some cases, slyly implied diplomatic and commercial pressure."
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Stan Bogosian, the former Mayor of Saratoga, California, receives a letter from the Chinese Consul-General in San Francisco pressuring the mayor to retract his support for local Falun Gong activities.
A mob of Chinese men -- echoing slogans propagated by the Chinese government -- attacks a group of people peacefully practicing the Falun Gong exercises in a public park in San Francisco.
Evan Mantyk, a 19-year-old junior at the University of Michigan, discovers his name on a "blacklist" maintained by the Chinese Communist Regime.
What's going on here?
Across the United States, what began in July 1999 as a series of isolated incidents of intimidation, harassment and illegal activity on the part of Chinese officials and those working under their direction has been uncovered as a targeted campaign. It is a campaign against officials, citizens and residents who practice or support Falun Gong in the U.S. and other countries.
Under orders from Jiang Zemin to "intensify the campaign overseas," Chinese officials have exploited economic ties at the national, state and city levels, brought political pressure to bear, and used other illicit means in an attempt to slander Falun Gong and undermine support for the practice in the U.S.
The Falun Dafa Information Center has issued an in-depth report detailing these illicit, and often illegal, activities. The report, entitled, "Freedom Under Attack" dissects the campaign against Americans who support or practice Falun Gong, and contains four sections:
| "Freedom Under Attack" Special Report Contents: I. The Role of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. II. The "Blacklist" and Homeland Security III. Systematic Efforts of Intimidating and Silencing U.S. Elected Officials IV. Intimidation and Violence Against U.S. Citizens and Residents |
nformation presented in this report was gathered by a team composed of Falun Dafa Information Center researchers and writers. Some excerpts were taken from reports issued by Freedom Houseí s Center for Religious Freedom, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNN, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and New York Cityí s Newsday.
To view the report on-line, visit: http://www.faluninfo.net/specialreports/freedomunderattack/
Congressional Resolution Condemns Illicit Action by Chinese on U.S. Soil
The United States Congress is expressing condemnation of these illicit activities by the Chinese agents on U.S. soil in Concurrent Resolution 447. Excerpt:
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"Whereas ... local officials across the United States, including the mayors of several major cities, have been pressured by Chinese consular officials to recant statements of support for the Falun Gong spiritual group; ... the Government of the People's Republic of China should ... immediately stop interfering in the exercise of religious and political freedoms within the United States, such as the right to practice Falun Gong." |
In addition the resolution calls upon the president to investigate and stop these acts of violence and interference.
The resolution was put forward by Congresswoman Woosley, and co-sponsored by Hilliard, Lee, and Lantos.
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 503 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER- Contacts: Gail Rachlin 917-501-4441, Erping Zhang 646-533-6147, Levi Browde 914-720-0963, or Feng Yuan 917-941-1097. Email: faluninfoctr@nycmail.com, Website: http://www.faluninfo.net/
Category: Voices of Support Worldwide
