The Beacon Online (University of Portland): Peaceful rally relates shocking truth

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Monday afternoon, downtown Seattle. Two rare yet enlightening events occurred: one, the coming of the sun, and the other, a peaceful demonstration held in Seattle's hub, hoping to clarify the truth to Seattleites and visitors alike about the persecution and genocide of hundreds of thousands of Falun Dafa practitioners that have continued in China for nearly seven years. This parade took place the day before China's president, Mr. Hu Jin-tao, planned to arrive in Seattle in hopes of striking business deals with Microsoft and Boeing.

In July of 1999, Falun Dafa, a traditional Chinese self-cultivation practice based on the universal principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance, was banned by the Chinese Government. Since its introduction in 1992, the rapid popularity of this practice has spread to over 70 countries worldwide, yet has been seen as a threat to the Communist regime. The Chinese government has enforced detainment of all practitioners; participating in the brainwashing, torture and eventual murder of these innocent people.

The latest atrocities that have surfaced bring back memories of Nazi Germany. Recently, witnesses reported the existence of death camps directly attached to hospitals that harvest detainees' organs for transplants. Falun Dafa practitioners are being cut open alive, their organs removed for transplant, and the bodies secretly cremated. According to statistics, there were only 78 liver transplant surgeries in China between 1991 and 1998. Since the crack down on Falun Gong in 1999, China has become the country with the largest number of liver transplants in the world, with over 3000 performed in 2003 alone. All of these actions have been concealed by the Chinese government, which is now denying the accusations.

Practitioners and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International organized the peaceful parade, press conference and candlelight vigil on Monday in Seattle. While I do not claim to know much about international business, I do know that the influence that China holds upon our country's economy is monumental. Unfortunately, China knows its worth. The United States is one of the few countries in the world that rivals China's power and has the opportunity to make an impact upon leaders. By continuing to support China, the U.S. is not exerting its power in helping to stop the genocide. Mr. Hu is not responsible for starting the persecution, but is responsible for ending it. As Congresswoman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) so perfectly addresses the issue, "History cares not whether we inked another trade deal or helped sell another Boeing 747, but history will judge us if we choose to look the other way when faced with truly indescribably human suffering on this scale."

History tends to repeat itself despite rallying cries worldwide of "Never again!" Sixty years after the Holocaust, the elimination of innocent people by a paranoid Communist regime is still taking place in what I cringe at citing as "The People's Republic of China." At the rally, hundreds of passersby signed petitions, vocalizing their shock and disgust at the possibility of such atrocities.

If you happen to overhear a plot for a murder and do not report it, should you be held morally responsible? After being present at the rally, I felt it my duty to at least uncover a minute fraction of what I have come to know. What does it take to move people to act against oppression, injustice and murder? A recent viewing of the film "Sometimes in April" in Dr. Masson's Peace and Justice class gave us a gut-wrenching exposure to the Rwandan genocide of 1994 which left most in shock, disbelief and horror. The Rwandan genocide is over, but the genocide of Falun Dafa practitioners is very much a reality. The days of labor and death camps are not over. Organ harvesting is not something that only occurs on Law and Order SVU. Are we really going to play off the murder of innocent human beings, for something like organ harvesting, as another Chinese business venture?

The shock of those who stopped to listen reminded me of the lack of awareness that pervades our society. Their overwhelming response showed me the power of compassion. I came to realize that ignorance is, in fact, a sin. Human rights violations occur worldwide. Our conscience is bothered by such information, yet we do not know what we can do. Yes, my mother is a Falun Dafa practitioner, but to tell you the truth, I have never given the practice much attention. I am not advocating for Falun Dafa, but for the immediate cease of torture of human beings. We can all participate, if not directly, at least by spreading the word. We live in a society that allows freedom of speech and expression. The Chinese people are not as privileged. It is our duty to stop mass murder. The U.S. needs to openly let the Chinese government know that what it is doing to its own citizens will not be tolerated by the world.

http://www.the-beacon.net/content/view/461/39/