On Sept. 12, 2001, the City Council of Jersey City, New Jersey held a meeting in City Hall. All nine council members unanimously passed a resolution condemning the violence and repression against Falun Gong practitioners in China. Practitioners from Jersey City and cities around New Jersey were invited as guests and gave speeches.
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Council members discussing the resolution |
Representative of the practitioners gives a speech |
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| Council members applaud the practitioner's presentation | Practitioners present the Council members with Dafa books and videotapes |
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Ceremony after the meeting |
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The resolution was initiated by Council Chair Mr. Smith. Council member Ms. Viola Richardson read the resolution. The resolution praises Falun Gong as a body, mind and spiritual practice that offers great health benefits, and condemns the acts of violence and torture of Falun Gong practitioners that are occurring in Jersey City's Sister City -- Nantong City. The resolution also calls on the Chinese government to release the detained practitioners of Falun Gong. In the resolution, the City Clerk is directed to forward copies of this resolution to the Mayor of the City of Nantong, China and members of the United States House of Representatives representing Jersey City.
In his speech, the representative of the practitioners first expressed our deep regrets, mourning the innocent lives of New Jersey residents lost in the disaster in Manhattan, which is just across the river from New Jersey. He extended practitioners' heartfelt condolences to their families and friends. He also briefed the Council members on the brutal crackdown of Falun Gong practitioners in China, especially in Nantong, the Sister City of Jersey City. He was very appreciative and thankful that the city council was upholding justice and condemning evil. The practitioner also introduced the effects of Falun Gong on health and physical fitness and in elevating the moral standards of practitioners. He also mentioned the awards and proclamations that Master Li has received from the governments and the people all over the world, as well as the fact that Falun Gong is also being taught in Jersey City. The speech won applause from the City Council members and meeting attendees.
After the resolution was passed, the Council members had pictures taken with the practitioners. Practitioners presented each Council member with a Falun Gong book and videotape.
Office of the City Clerk
City of Jersey City
New Jersey
á
Resolution
Condemning the Violence
and Repression Against
Falun Gong Practitioners in China
The Council as a whole offered and moved to adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, the Falun Gong is a body, mind and spiritual practice that offers great health benefits which is free and open to the Chinese people; and
Whereas, Jersey City is engaged in a Sister-City relationship with Nantong, China where recent acts of violence and torture of Falun Gong practitioners have been reported; and
Whereas, the United States Department of State condemned the action by the Chinese government asking China to respect freedom of thought, conscience and religion and to allow all persons to practice their religious beliefs freely; and
Whereas, the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City joins the United States Department of State in calling on the Chinese government to release from so-called "re-education through labor camps" practitioners of Falun Gong and others held for exercising their fundamental human rights.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City, condemns the violence and repression against Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Be it further resolved, that the City Clerk is directed to forward copies of this resolution to the Mayor of the City of Nantong, China and members of the United States House of Representatives representing Jersey City.
Attest:
Jarramiah Healy, Councilperson
Mariano Vega, Jr., Councilperson
Peter M. Brennan, Councilperson
Mary Donnelly, Councilperson
Steve Lipski, Councilperson
William A. Gaughan, Councilperson
E. Junior Maldonado, Councilperson
Viola Richardson, Councilperson
Signed
Robert Byme, City Clerk L. Harvey Smith, President of the Municipal Council
Category: Voices of Support Worldwide
