Voices of Support from U.S. Members of Congress Ahead of the 26th Anniversary of the Persecution (Part 1)

(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held a rally, parade, and candlelight vigil in Washington, DC on July 17, 2025. A forum will be held in the U.S. Capital Visitor Center in the afternoon to call for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) 26-year-long persecution of Falun Gong that continues to date, and to call attention to the regime’s persecution that has extended to the U.S.

Many U.S. senators and congressmen from both parties recorded videos or sent letters to express their support for Falun Gong and deep sympathy for the persecution suffered by Falun Gong practitioners. They also remembered the practitioners who were tortured to death in China. These officials said they will stop this persecution together with Falun Gong practitioners.

Ahead of the 26^th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong, Senators and Congressional members from both parties recorded videos or sent letters to express their support.

From left to right and top to bottom:Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, Senator Todd Young of Indiana, Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, Representative Sam Graves of Missouri, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II of Missouri, Representative Thomas Tiffany of Wisconsin, Representative Young Kim of California, Representative Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas: The U.S. Should Take Action to Stop the Persecution Now

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas

Video: Senator Ted Cruz of Texas recorded a video to express his support.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the Judiciary. He introduced the “Falun Gong Protection Act” in the Senate on March 3 this year.

He said in his video recording: “For decades, the Chinese Communist Party has been engaged in horrific human rights atrocities against Falun Gong, the CCP fears the Falun Gong, its beliefs, and religious freedom in general, as they fear anything that is beyond the control of authoritarianism.

“These attacks should have ended long ago, and the United States should take action to stop it now. That's why I introduced the Falun Gong Protection Act, to shine a light on the CCP's atrocities and to hold the perpetrators accountable. Tyranny fears nothing more than truth, and darkness fears nothing more than light.

“To all the practitioners gathered in Washington today, thank you. Your courage, your resilience, and your commitment to protecting religious liberty are an inspiration. I will continue to stand side by side with you in this fight. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.”

Senator Todd Young of Indiana: There Are No Words Strong Enough to Express My Sympathy for What You've Endured

Senator Todd Young of Indiana

Video: Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana recorded a video to express his support.

Senator Todd Young of Indiana said in his video recording: “For decades the CCP has used fear and coercion to suppress the rights of the Chinese people, targeting ethnic and religious minorities, communities of faith, including Falun Gong practitioners, have suffered unimaginable abuses, detained, silenced and stripped of basic human dignity, all under the guise of oppressive laws that label faith and culture as extremism or terrorism. Let's be clear, the CCP is actively working to erase culture, suppress religion, and silence free expression.

“I know many of you here today, or your loved ones, have been personally affected by these abuses. There are no words strong enough to express my sympathy for what you've endured. As a United States Senator, I believe our country has a moral duty to defend human rights, both at home and abroad, that includes confronting the CCP's atrocities, preventing future abuses, and working with our allies to advance freedom and justice around the world.

“I stand with you today in solidarity, your courage, your voice, and your peaceful protest matter. Thank you for allowing me to share these words, and thank you for your continued fight for truth, freedom, and dignity.”

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas: Your Courage Offers Hope to Many

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas sent a letter to express his support.

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas wrote in his letter: “For decades, the Falun Gong movement has faced immense abuse and oppression under the Chinese Communist Party. Simply for holding spiritual beliefs, practitioners have been imprisoned, tortured, and harassed in a brutal campaign that has spread beyond China’s borders.

“The CCP’s efforts to wipe out this peaceful movement expose the true depth of its cruelty and authoritarian control. This persecution must stop.

“However, even amid this struggle, Falun Gong adherents continue to persevere and demonstrate a deep love for Chinese culture. Shen Yun, the performing arts group rooted in their tradition, brings that culture to the world with magnificent grace.

“When my wife and I saw Shen Yun at the Kennedy Center, we were inspired and deeply moved. The dedication and strength of the artists, who create beauty in the face of adversity, left a lasting impression on us.

“Your courage offers hope to many, and we pray you will continue standing firm.”

Representative Young Kim of California: We Cannot Allow This on Our Soil

Representative Young Kim of California

Video recording: Representative Young Kim of California recorded a video to express her support.

Representative Young Kim said in her video recording: “I'm honored to join you all today to rally for basic human rights and to pay my respects to the many Falun Gong practitioners who have been silenced, imprisoned, and persecuted at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party for 26 years.

“For Xi Jinping, the ends always justify the means. He's determined to retain complete control. And that doesn't stop within the People's Republic of China's borders. Even here in the United States, Beijing threatens to censor Shen Yun and targets innocent Falun Gong practitioners with harassment and intimidation. We have also seen growing evidence that the CCP is going as far as forcing organ harvesting from religious and ethnic minorities.

“We cannot allow this, not on our soil, not anywhere. That is why I have supported the Falun Gong Protection Act to sanction individuals and entities involved in forced organ harvesting in China as chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, and also as a member of the Select Committee on the CCP and as a Korean American with relatives who defected North Korea.

“I will always be a loud voice for freedom-loving people around the world who are trapped under authoritarian regimes. I want to thank you for your unwavering courage in standing up for human rights.”

Representative Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia: We Have to Make Sure We Stand Up for This Community

Democratic Representative Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia

Video recording by Rep. Suhas Subramanyam expressing his support

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam said in his video recording: “I just want to join you in commemorating the 26th anniversary of the Falun Gong persecution, which still goes on today.”

“In particular, we have to make sure we stand up for human rights and stand up for this community, and so we will continue to do so. That's why I've joined the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, and we're going to continue to do things in Congress to make sure we bring awareness to what's going on and what happened over the years and what we can do about it here. So thank you for your advocacy, and I look forward to joining you in this work.”

Representative Sam Graves of Missouri: These Genocidal Acts Have No Place in Today’s World

Republication Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri wrote a letter to express his support.

Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri wrote in his letter: “I am proud to publicly support your efforts to address the continuation of the cruel and unjust actions of the CCP against practitioners of Falun Gong. Freedom of religion is not only a constitutional right but a human right that should be enjoyed by all.

“Chinese communism threatens the independence and human rights of free people around the world. The CCP routinely commits human rights abuses such as murder, organ harvesting, mass false imprisonment, and unconscionable torture. These actions make it clear that the goal of the CCP is to eradicate an entire religious movement in order to advance their communist ideology. These genocidal acts are irredeemable and have no place in today’s world.

“As you gather for your rally on Thursday, July 17^th, please know I stand in solidarity with you in the fight against persecution, and I look forward to the work we can accomplish together to bring justice for Falun Gong. I am steadfast in my commitment to policies that secure religious freedom and human rights above all else. Your bravery and dedication in this fight against tyranny are wonderful examples of the right to freely practice your religion and serve as an example to Americans everywhere.”

Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina: The CCP’s Violence Will Not Be Tolerated

Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina sent a letter expressing his support.

Republican Rep Joe Wilson wrote in his letter: “I am grateful to recognize the Falun Dafa Association of South Carolina and their efforts to end the Chinese Communist Party’s 26-year-long persecution of Falun Gong.

“The Chinese Communist Party is terrified of freedom, and their violence against the Falun Gong will not be tolerated.”

Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II: Your Resilience Is Admirable

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II of Missouri, wrote a letter expressing his support.

Rep. Emanual Cleaver, II wrote in his letter: “While I regret that prior commitments will prevent me from attending in person, I remain grateful for your ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and your continued support for human rights and religious freedom.

“The strength and resilience demonstrated by Falun Gong practitioners in continuing their work and standing up for their rights in the face of oppression is admirable. I am deeply troubled by the reports of arbitrary detention and transnational repression that cannot be ignored. I remain committed to supporting efforts in Congress aimed at condemning these violations and upholding freedom of belief for all people.

“I want to commend your dedication to raising awareness about the persecution of Falun Gong and the need to defend religious freedom and human rights. Your community’s efforts to highlight your resilience and get support, both in Missouri and around the world, remain an inspiration. It is clear that your efforts, from public events to cultural outreach, have helped foster understanding and support for these critical issues.”

Representative Thomas Tiffany: I Join You in Calling For an End to the Repression

Republication Rep. Thomas Tiffany of Wisconsin wrote a letter to express his support.

Republication Rep. Thomas Tiffany wrote in his letter: “It has been more than two decades since the CCP first began their systematic crackdown on Falun Gong, subjecting its practitioners to criminal penalties, torture, arbitrary detention, and involuntary organ harvesting.

“Like you, I am deeply concerned about Beijing’s long record of persecution of religious minorities, political dissidents, artists, journalists, and human rights advocates.

“Americans and other friends of freedom around the world should stand shoulder to shoulder with those who seek to chart their own democratic future, speak their mind, and exercise their freedom of worship and conscience without fear of penalty or retribution.

“I join you today in calling for an end to human rights abuses and repression in China.”

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C: I Will Work With Colleagues to Pass the Falun Gong Protection Bill

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C. wrote a letter to express her support.

Democrat Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton wrote in her letter: “I write in support of Falun Gong practitioners and supporters in the District of Columbia and around the world who are working to end the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.”

“As a former assistant legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union, constitutional lawyer, and a lifelong human and civil rights advocate, I take this moment not only to speak out against the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, but also to remember those who died for their beliefs.

“Falun Gong is a peaceful religion that teaches self-improvement through meditation based on slow movements and regimented breathing. For over two decades, Falun Gong practitioners have suffered from detention, torture, and organ harvesting at the hands of the Chinese government.

“We must raise awareness of those persecuted in China who cannot raise awareness themselves. On May 5, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1540, the Falun Gong Protection Act, of which I am a cosponsor. I will continue to work with colleagues in the House and Senate to pass this bill.

“I stand in solidarity with the many Falun Gong practitioners who fight for the freedom to speak and to practice the religion of their choice.”