(Clearwisdom.net) The horrific persecution against Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party has lasted for 10 years. On the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, the City Council of Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, passed the following resolution on July 29, 2009. The resolution stated: "the United States should condemn the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong, and make all efforts to end immediately the persecution of Falun Gong in China." "It is also our responsibility as human beings to raise awareness necessary to stop horrific crimes against our fellow human beings no matter what the cost."

MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO

WHEREAS, Falun Gong is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline that includes exercise and meditation, with principles based on truth, compassion and tolerance; and

WHEREAS, With the goal of self-improvement, people who engage in Falun Dafa practice five sets of gentle, meditative exercises, while striving to live in accordance with the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance; and

WHEREAS, Since its introduction in China in 1992 by its founder, Li Hongzhi, Falun Gong has been practiced by over 100 million people in 80 countries; and

WHEREAS, Li Hongzhi, or "Master Li," has lectured on Falun Gong worldwide, has received more than 600 awards, and has been thrice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize; and

WIHEREAS Since July 1 999, when China's former president launched the "eradication" campaign against Falun Gong, hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been detained and tortured for their believes; and

WHEREAS It is the responsibility of free and democratic nations to condemn the act of crimes against humanity and shameless disregard for human life wherever they occur; and

WIIEREAS It is also our responsibility as human beings to raise awareness necessary to stop horrific crimes against our fellow human beings no matter what the cost; and

WHEREAS July 2009 marks the 10^th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong; and the City of Chicago passed the following resolution in November of 2002:"That the United States should use every appropriate public and private forum to urge the Government of the People's Republic of China to release from detention all Falun Gong practitioners and put an end to the practices of torture and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment against them and other prisoners of Conscience"; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED That the City Council of Chicago renew the resolution which was passed seven years ago that states that the United States should condemn the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong, and make all efforts to end immediately the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Toni Preckwinkle

Alderman 4^th Ward