(Minghui.org) On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ peacefully protesting the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution, practitioners in Texas held a rally in front of the state government buildings in Austin, the state capital, on July 20, 2024. They condemned the CCP’s brutal persecution and called for it to end. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz sent a letter of support.

Letter from Senator Ted Cruz

The letter reads, “For more than two decades, the Chinese Communist Party has violated the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners. Thousands have faced imprisonment, torture, and even death at the hands of the CCP all because this communist regime believes they can commit these heinous acts of religious persecution without facing any consequences, and that the world will remain silent. Regrettably, this has often been the case.

“In China, Falun Gong practitioners continue to follow their beliefs despite facing severe persecution and the threat of death. The CCP’s antagonism towards religious freedom is emblematic of communist regimes and is deeply ingrained in their ideology. This is why we must stand together in the face of such persecution and intolerance. Inaction is not acceptable.

“The United States Constitution explicitly safeguards the right of Americans to practice their faith and live according to their own conscience. As a member of the U.S. Senate, I will often work with my colleagues to petition U.S. courts to support cases involving religious liberty because it’s not only my duty, but it’s personal. My father was born in Cuba, where he was tortured and imprisoned before he came to Texas with nothing but $100 sewn into his underwear.

“We have a responsibility to stand up for those suffering in China and to make our voices heard. It’s America’s duty, as the leader of the free world, to defend and promote the free practice of religion without obstruction. We must call out the CCP’s persecution and hold them accountable. I firmly condemn China’s treatment of Falun Gong practitioners and I am proud to stand with you.”