Press Statement for the Florida Conference, January 27, 2001

Falun Gong is a peaceful practice. We Falun Gong practitioners from all over the US and Canada have gathered here in Florida to learn from each other and to share this practice with the people of Florida openly. The central teaching has as its core three words: Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

From absorbing these words and continually applying these principles, individual Falun Gong practitioners build peace in their own hearts, which spreads into their communities. 100 million or more practitioners in 40 countries today are spreading this peace.

The world is watching a movement of peaceful resistance in China that is unprecedented in size and duration. For more than 18 months, millions of practitioners have endured a most brutal and systematic suppression campaign at the hands of the Chinese government, resulting in detention, torture, and death more than 120 deaths to date. They have endured unimaginable suffering without committing a single violent act. Though we practitioners want the world to know that Jiang Zemin and his accomplices are waging a wrong and evil campaign, Falun Gong is not against the government we ask only that the government permit them to practice, as guaranteed by the Chinese constitution, and release the detained practitioners.

This practice of peace also embraces the best of traditional Chinese culture. In China, in the United States, and in many other countries around the world, Falun Gong has brought well-being, health, and peace to a growing number of people.