Why We Are Biking from Orlando to Washington DC

Practitioner S

When I read the news about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, I feel so sad. I had hoped to have the opportunity to help those peaceful and innocent people being tortured in China. Being part of the biking team has given me that opportunity. I feel good to be able to clarify the truth to people and for them to be able to express their sympathy and support regarding the persecution of Falun Gong. In particular, those people living in small towns have little chance of knowing the current situation in China. It is truly a worthy cause.

Practitioner C

I am participating in this bike ride from Orlando, Florida to Washington DC because I feel it is the best way available to me to call attention to the brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. While here in America we enjoy tremendous freedom, practitioners in China live under the constant threat of imprisonment torture, and execution. Every day, more practitioners are tortured to death because they choose to exercise, meditate, and seek self-improvement. I wish for the entire world to be aware of the atrocities that are occurring in China, so that good people everywhere can take action to end this persecution.

The effort I am making is small; but combined with the efforts of all the people in the world who believe in freedom and justice, and combined with the universal principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance, this endeavor can be effective. I am riding to Washington, DC, to call upon all kind people everywhere to do their part in ending the persecution.

Practitioner R

I have read many reports and seen many pictures of the results of the persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China. It's horrible. Police and local authorities have been given permission to use every means to convert Falun Gong practitioners. At the extreme, they are held faultless when practitioners are tortured to death. The relatives of murdered practitioners receive only a box of ashes from cremation. This does not signify an act of humanity at all.

Among the many horrifying stories, recently at one labor camp, fifteen female practitioners were tortured to death. In many incidences female practitioners are placed into male prisoners' cells, where they suffer both physically and mentally. I shed tears every time I read such reports. Who does not have a mother, sister, or daughter? These criminals are more brutal than beasts.

I joined this bicycle trip to Washington D.C. to give as many people as possible the chance to learn about what is happening in China. To call for support from every person, every institution, to help change the situation in China.

Practitioner E

We live in this country with the freedom of faith and democracy. However, in China countless Falun Gong practitioners are persecuted because of their belief. Since July 1999, more than 253 practitioners have been tortured to death, and more than 1,000 practitioners have been sent to mental hospitals for psychiatric "treatments." More than 50,000 thousand practitioners have been sentenced to jails and labor camps, with these numbers increasing daily. Whenever I think about those innocent Falun Gong practitioners being persecuted in China, solely for their belief in truth, compassion and tolerance, my heart aches. I hope I can do something to help them out.

I read a story about a practitioner in China: she had walked for many months from her home to Beijing. Her whole body hurt, but little by little she moved forward to make an appeal for Falun Gong. The police were chasing her and she knew she would be arrested and tortured. She knew she might lose her life.

I want to put forward my effort and let Americans and the world know what is happening in China. I want to call on all the kind people in the world to help us to end the killing and persecution in China immediately. I want to show my respect to the practitioners who lost their lives for their beliefs and who walked many months to peacefully appeal for the truth under such difficult circumstances.