(Minghui.org) Editor's note: Faith J. H. McDonnell is the Religious Liberty Programs Director for the Institute on Religion and Democracy. She has spoken widely about the persecution of believers around the world.

Ms. Faith J. H. McDonnell, Religious Liberty Programs Director for the Institute on Religion and Democracy

Below is her speech, delivered in person on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on July 17, 2014, at the rally marking 15 years of the persecution of Falun Gong.

Thank you for once again inviting me to share this important moment with you, on the 15th anniversary marking the Chinese Communist Party's merciless crackdown on Falun Gong, and to express the Institute on Religion and Democracy's solidarity with you.

As I prepared to speak to you, I looked back in my files and realized that the first time I spoke to this gathering was July 21, 2005, then the sixth anniversary of the banning of Falun Gong by Jiang Zemin. That day, I said that "Six years ago, Falun Gong joined Chinese Christians and freedom fighters, North Korean refugees, Tibetan and Uyghur dissidents, and others, in the ranks of those who are persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party."

Sadly, that has not changed. The Chinese Communist Party continues the persecution, imprisonment, and torture of the most peaceful and honorable citizens of China—those who believe in truth—whether it be the truth of freedom and democracy, the truth of the Gospel, or the truthfulness, benevolence, and forbearance of Falun Dafa.

But in spite of the oppression and persecution, the Chinese people who believe in truth continue to pursue it. And their numbers are growing every day! We see the evidence by the number of people who continue to renounce the Communist Party. Thanks to computer geniuses—from Falun Gong—who have broken through the Chinese Communist Party's firewalls—truth is much more difficult to hide from both the Chinese people and from the world.

And today, in July 2014, we have the great opportunity to bring before the world and enshrine in the Congressional record, the truth of the horrific practice of state-sanctioned organ-harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. We are grateful to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congressman Robert Andrews for House Resolution 281, and we urge the swift passage of this bill.

This is a sorrowful anniversary, marking the deaths, torture, and imprisonment of thousands by the Chinese Communist Party, but there are two other anniversaries this year. Last month marked the 25th anniversary of Tiananmen Square. Although that event was marked by tragedy and violent retaliation against a peaceful cry for freedom, the repercussions of that day are being felt as more and more Chinese people cry for freedom. And today, July 17, is the celebration of World Day for International Justice. What better day to condemn the criminal injustices of the Chinese Communist Party and demand justice for Falun Gong practitioners, Christians, and others who are persecuted by that unjust regime.

The Institute on Religion & Democracy will continue to do everything in our power to call attention to the persecution, and to remember the courage, resilience, and honor of the persecuted. Thank you once again for allowing me to share this anniversary with you. May God bless you, and may God bless all the Chinese people.