(Minghui.org) Many groups of Chinese students, ranging from elementary to high school, visit famous universities including Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Massachusetts during summer break. Local Falun Gong practitioners recently took the opportunity to raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution in front of Harvard University.
Falun Gong was popular in China prior to the persecution, due to its marvelous effects in improving health. The CCP initiated the persecution of Falun Gong in 1999 out of paranoia of the practice’s popularity and fear of losing control. The persecution has led to the deaths of many Falun Gong practitioners during the past 17 years. More have been tortured for their belief and even killed for their organs. The CCP uses all available state machinery to conduct the persecution, and even modify textbooks with lies defaming Falun Gong. As a result, many Chinese students have been misled by the CCP's lies, and thus harbor hatred toward the peaceful practice.
A Falun Gong practitioner distributes Falun Gong information materials in front of Harvard University.
Chinese Students: We Quit the Party!
Many Chinese tourists visit the Harvard University entrance. Falun Gong practitioners there told the Chinese students there that the persecution was wrong, and that what they learned about Falun Gong in textbooks were CCP lies.
One practitioner told a group of students, “I was a teacher in China. I am here no matter sunshine or rain to help you understand the facts and become aware of the persecution. You have been misled by the CCP's lies. The persecution of Falun Gong in China has led to many issues. We hope China will get better. We are truly patriotic.”
The practitioner pointed to a poster with images showing the China's state-sanctioned organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners, and told them that was happening in China. She said, “This is a demonic act. Any people with conscience must condemn this atrocity and help stop it.” She then advised the students to withdraw their membership from the CCP Youth League and Young Pioneers.
The group of students said in agreement, “We quit the Party!” The practitioner wrote down their names one by one and praised them.
Students and Teachers Learn the Facts
A group of more than twenty students and their teacher were taking a break in the shade in front of Harvard University, when a practitioner approached and talked them. The children came forward and took flyers and other informational materials from the practitioner. The teacher also took a copy of each.
Many of the questions asked by the students were based on the CCP lies printed in textbooks, as well as TV propaganda. The practitioner answered them one by one. The teacher smiled and did not say a word. One student said, “You work hard to earn money in this way. You are sweating under the scorching sunshine.”
The practitioner explained, “I am a volunteer here to raise awareness of the persecution, and hope that all of you will learn the facts and no longer be misled by the Party's lies. I don't earn a penny standing here for hours. You are so young. What I said is the truth. I hope you have a bight future.” The teachers and students listened earnestly to her explanation of Falun Gong.
Raising Awareness Regardless of Intimidation
On another occasion a practitioner stepped forward to raise awareness to a group of students in front of a gift shop. Suddenly a teacher spoke up loudly to stop the practitioner, and told her to leave.
The practitioner said, “This is America, not China. The students have the right to listen, and I have the right to speak. What I have said is important for their future.” All the students looked at them.
The teacher scolded the practitioner and pushed her. The practitioner reminded the teacher that she could call police. At that moment, another teacher came to lead the teacher away.
The practitioner continued explaining Falun Gong, and exposed the CCP's persecution. She encouraged the students to take Falun Gong informational materials, and told them there were many such awareness-raising sites in the U.S. She said, “You come to America, the country with freedom. You have the right to learn the facts and become aware of the persecution in China.”
