(Minghui.org) Local Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., on July 6, 2013, calling for the Chinese regime to immediately release 13 illegally detained Falun Gong practitioners in Dalian City, China, who have been set to go to trial. Originally scheduled for April 12, the trial was rescheduled for July 5, but has been canceled once again, as the authorities appear to be devising a way to sentence the practitioners in secret.

Rally participants also expressed support for the 12 defense attorneys in China who risked their careers and lives to enter a not-guilty plea on behalf of the detained practitioners.

Practitioners rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC

Practitioners Call for Support from the International Community

At the rally, Falun Gong practitioner Chen Yanqing summarized how on July 6, 2012, the Dalian City Political and Legal Affairs Committee instructed the local police to arrest 79 Falun Gong practitioners. The arrested practitioners were accused of helping homeowners install satellite dishes capable of receiving programs from New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV), the only television network in the world that broadcasts uncensored news into China.

Police ransacked the practitioners' homes and extorted large sums from their families. More than 12 practitioners were sent to forced labor camps without trial, and 28 were issued official arrest warrants.

Many were tortured to the point of injury and disability. One practitioner and a practitioner's family member have been tortured to death.

Chinese authorities in Dalian have been attempting to unlawfully try 13 Falun Gong practitioners. The trial was initially scheduled for April 12 of this year. To prevent people from attending the hearing, and to stop the defense attorneys from entering not-guilty pleas, a group of police officers were ordered to illegally arrest practitioners and family members who came to support the defendants and waited outside the courthouse. The police also brutally assaulted one of the attorneys.

The authorities threatened to suspend the defense attorneys' licenses and changed the trial location and date in an attempt to convict the 13 practitioners without their attorneys being present. However, the 12 attorneys insisted on defending the practitioners.

“Anyone who helps Falun Gong practitioners during these politically trying times will receive wonderful blessings in the future,” said Ms. Chen at the rally, voicing support for the attorneys. “We call on the international community to make their righteous voices heard.”

Chinese Attorney: Communist Party Is Unable to Block the Truth

Attorney Mr. Peng, who used to defend Falun Gong practitioners in China, took part in the rally. He reiterated his support for the 12 attorneys in China, noting that they have sacrificed a lot to uphold the rule of law and safeguard human rights in the face of the oppressive regime.

“Falun Gong practitioners who were arrested in Dalian helped people install satellite dishes so that uncensored information could be transmitted freely,” Mr. Peng said. “What they upheld is people's freedom of speech and their right to know the truth. What they did should be protected by the Chinese Constitution and the law.

“Falun Gong practitioners were framed and charged with the crime of 'sabotaging the implementation of law,' while attorneys who provided legal defense for the Falun Gong practitioners were suppressed,” he continued.

“Actually, all of the government organizations and individuals who helped frame and suppress both the attorneys and the practitioners are truly the ones who are trampling the law!”

Thousands Tortured and Killed for Their Belief

The Chinese communist regime launched a brutal campaign to eradicate Falun Gong in 1999, shortly after a census revealed that there were more Falun Gong practitioners than Communist Party members in China.

“According to incomplete statistics gathered since July 1999, at least 3,697 Falun Gong practitioners have died as a direct result of the persecution. The death cases are widely distributed among the 30 provinces and various autonomous regions and municipalities [in China]. Seven provinces are listed as the areas with highest death toll,” said Ms. Chen.

Tens of thousands, or more, death cases are highly suspected.

According to Minghui.org reports, at least 200 practitioners have been arrested in Dalian from 2012 to today; 24 of them were sentenced to forced labor camps, 3 received prison terms, 2 died, and many more were tortured to near death.

Practitioner Ms. Wang Chunying, from Dalian, was arrested, detained, sentenced to prison, and repeatedly tortured for remaining steadfast in her belief in Falun Gong.

“I'm very sad that this mass arrest of Falun Gong practitioners has taken place in my hometown,” Ms. Wang said. “It is a crime of the Communist Party to deprive Chinese people of their freedom to watch overseas television programs. Standing on the side of freedom, I call upon people to show their concern and support for the imprisoned practitioners.”

“Under the rule of this autocratic regime, several dozen righteous attorneys had their law licenses revoked because they chose to defend Falun Gong practitioners, righteous people, and human rights activists,” Ms. Wang added. “Despite the threats, intimidation, and financial losses, 12 attorneys still chose to step forward. Their actions bring hope to China.”

Ms. Wang went on to say that those who have participated in the persecution of Falun Gong will be held accountable for their ignoble deeds.