Practitioners of Falun Dafa, a Qigong practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance have been persecuted in China for more than five years. Innocent law abiding citizens have been arrested, imprisoned and tortured to death for practicing their beliefs. Peaceful appeals made by practitioners all around the world bring attention to these crimes against humanity.

On Nov. 16, the Chinese State chairman, Hu Jintao, was visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina. Falun Dafa practitioners were displaying banners stating "Falun Dafa is Good" and "Bring Jiang (Former State Chairman responsible for the persecution of Falun Dafa) to Justice" when they were beaten by [a group of Chinese directed by a Chinese embassy official]. The practitioners committed no crime. In Argentina, citizens have the right to assemble, yet the practitioners were arrested and detained until the Chinese delegation left the area.

Once again, the influence of the Chinese government is felt beyond the borders of China.

On Oct. 4, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 304 which specifically addresses the harassment of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government here in America. The practitioners of Falun Dafa would like to thank Rep. Denny Rehberg for his continued support of legislation supporting human rights.

The freedom of belief is a basic human right for all of humanity!

Katherine Combes

Kalispell

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