FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 22, 2002 [ http://www.faluninfo.net/ ]

WASHINGTON DC, July 22, 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Center) -- This week supporters and practitioners of Falun Gong are gathering in Washington, D.C. to call for an end to the past three years of persecution and commemorate the peaceful appeals of practitioners throughout the world. Activities to date included cultural events, an evening concert at the Lincoln Memorial with performances by Falun Gong practitioners and a candlelight vigil at the Washington Monument.áá

A large-scale rally on Tuesday, July 23, "Together to end the Persecution," will include comments of support by members of US Congress and culminate in a march.á

A graceful solo performance touches hearts. This dancer was part of the public concert on the front steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Many passers by stopped to enjoy the dancing as well as vocal and instrumental performances given by Falun Gong practitioners.á

Candles fill the dark night with hope. Several hundred practitioners from all over the world gather at the base of the reflecting pool to enjoy the performances. Over the past year, practitioners have given a series of free public concerts throughout the US, Europe and Canada.á

East meets West in a song of appeal. Practitioners sing a tale of Westerners traveling to China to bring the truth to the government and people. Since November 2001, over 100 Western Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested, detained, and forcefully deported while visiting China to appeal for an end to the persecution.á

Meditating for justice from the ground up. Practitioners sit quietly at the base of the Washington Monument, peacefully calling for people to help end the persecution of Falun Gong. Since 1999, over 400 practitioners in mainland China have been killed, and thousands have been forced into labor and concentration camps, mental institutions, and re-education centers.á

Forming words of truth. A large formation of practitioners sit at the base of the Washington Monument, forming the Chinese characters for "Falun Dafa Hao" (Falun Dafa is Good). "Falun Dafa Hao" is a call heard on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, where Chinese practitioners frequently go to make public, peaceful appeals to the people and the government. Many instances of these appeals result in the arrest of practitioners and their eventual sentencing to extended jail terms of 5-10 years.á

Activities scheduled for Tuesday include a march from the Chinese Embassy to the US Capitol (10:00am-12:30pm), followed by a rally on the Lower West Terrace Lawn (12:30pm).áá

Joined by members of Congress, speakers will include Falun Gong practitioners whose names were on a "blacklist" of Falun Gong practitioners from around the world reportedly compiled by agents of the Chinese government. Others who have been directly affected by the persecution with also speak.á

Events contact: Terri Wu, (202) 550-0562á

Backgroundá

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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.áá

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.áá

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/