Times staff writer

With the words "truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance" marked on the backs of brightly colored yellow t-shirts, six travelers gathered in front of City Hall Sunday afternoon, to campaign against the Chinese government, and its "persecution of Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong."

Falun Dafa, an ancient Chinese practice introduced to the public in 1992, was created by Mr. Li Hongzhi in China, who was nominated for the Nobel peace prize in 2000 and 2001, the group reported. [Note: Mr. Li was nominated for the Nobel peace prize in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003]

Since its introduction in 1992, Falun Dafa's popularity reportedly spread worldwide and came to be known by its followers as a "self-cultivation practice that improves mental and physical wellness through exercises, meditation and the development of one's mind."

Despite its peaceful nature, the group reports the Chinese government viewed the popularity of Falun Dafa as a threat to its power, banned the [...] practice in July of 1999, and cruelly persecuted the people of China by "taking away their freedom of belief, torturing them, imprisoning them, brainwashing them, and even killing them."

"Falun Dafa practitioners are good. To do bad things would be against our Falun Dafa beliefs, to be truthful, compassionate and patient with others," said Ming Zhen, who believes in Falun Dafa so much she refuses to give up the practice despite the suffering, torture, imprisonment and cruelty that her family has endured (and continues to endure) at the hands of the Chinese
government.

The group, which functions along several worldwide based Websites and independent volunteer groups, said its [practitioners] have come here to educate the public about what is happening to the innocent people in China and to help save the hundreds who have been persecuted, including Dr. Charles Li, an American citizen who was arrested Jan. 22 at the Guangzhou Airport, persecuted for his beliefs.

The group presented a pamphlet, which calls for the relief of several families including Dr. Charles Li.

"An innocent American has been illegally arrested and threatened with false charges that could lead to 15 years in prison, simply because he practices Falun Gong," said Falun Dafa Information Center spokesman Erping Zhang. "This is outrageous...Charles must be released immediately," the pamphlet states. "We urge the U.S. government and the American people to help rescue
Charles from China.

"The Chinese government controls the media in China. There is no other way to get the word out-he is innocent," said Leon Lemmons, a certified public accountant in Oklahoma and Falun Dafa practitioner, "Not only that, but persecution anywhere in the world is an evil-a problem."

The group reported they traveled from Houston to San Antonio, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo in only two days, further noting that other volunteer groups also traveled across the state of Texas Saturday and Sunday to spread the word and to educate the people regarding the "harmless and peaceful" practice of Falun Gong.

"With our peaceful plea, we are asking the government to help save their fellow American, Dr. Charles Li, from this persecution. We need to increase awareness and free the Chinese born practice of Falun Dafa and all who practice it," Lemmons said.

http://www.lmtonline.com/news/s4.htm