Practitioners Join New York City Government Officials to Expose the Urgent Situation in Changchun City

March 26, 2002 - Press Conference at New York City Hall

On March 26, 2002, Falun Gong practitioners joined New York City government officials to host a press conference at City Hall in New York City, exposing the crisis situation in Changchun, China. Local city officials and the New York director of the Laogai Research Foundation gave speeches, strongly condemning the persecution of Falun Gong in China authorities and expressing extreme concern regarding the crisis in Changchun City.

After covering the recent developments in Changchun, the 5,000 arrested, 100 feared dead, and ongoing extreme persecution by police, practitioners introduced Councilman Allan W. Jennings, Jr., who strongly condemned the Chinese actions against Falun Gong and offered his support to the group. He also addressed the gathered practitioners briefly in Chinese.

Next spoke Ann Noonan, the editor for FreeChurchForChina.org and New York Director of the Laogai Research Foundation (www.laogai.org). She read a statement regarding the many groups under persecution in China, and how religious persecution is state policy in China.

Finally, Rev. Ruben Diaz, Bronx Borough City Councilman, gave a speech in both English and Spanish regarding his commitment to doing everything possible to ensure freedom of belief in China.

Practitioners took questions from the media, and then demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises for a few minutes. The event was covered by national TV, local radio, and other media organizations.

Practitioners presented a detailed account of the mass arrests, torture, and killings in Changchun City, China.	A nationwide television network, as well as local radio and other media, covered the press conference and exercise demonstration at New York City Hall.
New York City Councilman, Mr. Allan W. Jennings, Jr., strongly condemned China's persecution of religous followers. He also addressed the gathered practitioners briefly in Chinese.	Ann Noonan, editor for FreeChurchForChina.org and New York Director of the Laogai Research Foundation (www.laogai.org) spoke, along with Rev. Ruben Diaz, Bronx Borough City Councilman.
Ann Noonan, editor for FreeChurchForChina.org and New York Director of the Laogai Research Foundation (www.laogai.org) commented on China's state policy of religious persecution.	A local radio station interviews practitioners in Spanish regarding the persecution taking place in Changchun City, China.
Practitioners held banners that read, "5000 Arrested, 100 Feared Dead, Stop the State-Authorized Massacre in Changchun, China" in front of New York City Hall.	Practitioners demonstrated the exercises for the media and city government officials following the press conference in front of New York City Hall.