[August 29, 2001]

Practitioners and supporters of an ancient from of meditation gathered Saturday to raise awareness of the exercise and those in China who are being persecuted for practicing it.

Falung Gong is the practice of refining the body and mind through special exercises and meditation. Supporters are fighting to change a 1999 decision by the Chinese government to persecute those who practice Falun Gong.

Saturday's seminar took place in the Memorial Union at the UW. It was a continuation of a national campaign that converged in Washington DC last month.

"We're introducing the practice to people who want to benefit from it as well, but our main concern right now is rescuing those people in China because there's a very, very urgent situation for them," said Falun Gong practitioner Liam O'Neill.

Falun Gong practitioners and supporters say their main focus is to raise awareness of a resolution that calls on the U.S. government to help stop the persecution against Falun Gong in China.

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