(Clearwisdom.net) On May 13, 2006, Delaware County, a west suburb of Philadelphia, held the Fourth Annual Peace Festival with a theme of "Celebrating Human Rights - Stand Up! Speak Out! Sing With All Your Heart!" Forty groups and over 300 people participated in the event. "Friends of Falun Gong" was invited to join the event.

Falun Gong practitioners perform dance at Delaware County Peace Festival

Terry Rumsey, organizer of Delaware County Peace Center said that this was the first time they invited "Friends of Falun Gong." Last year, they invited the Vietnamese Human Rights Groups including some Chinese. The theme was to help the abused women from Vietnam, China and the Philippines.

"Friends of Falun Gong" invited Falun Gong practitioners to perform traditional Chinese dance and demonstrate Falun Gong exercises at the festival. Many people were attracted by the demonstration. Some began to learn it immediately and some wanted Falun Gong practitioners to host a teaching workshop in their communities. People who love peace won't tolerate the Chinese Communist Party harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners. Many people want to learn more about the truth.

Terry said, "I support Falun Gong and I am against the Chinese regime's persecution of Falun Gong. They have their rights to practice their belief. I am getting to know more about Falun Gong and I am sympathetic [with them] regarding their being persecuted for their belief." Terry and his wife are in charge of the Peace Center and they found "Friends of Falun Gong" through the Internet.

Matt was from "Friends of Falun Gong" New Jersey branch. He said he was very happy to be invited to the Peace Festival and hoped more people would speak up to stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China. He said they participated in many community activities in New Jersey and received support from many people.

According to its website, Friends of Falun Gong USA (FoFG USA) is a U.S.-based, nonprofit human rights organization founded in the year 2000 by Americans concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong. Its mission is to support the freedom of belief of persons who practice Falun Gong. The goal is to prevent and end violations of the right to practice Falun Gong freely, openly, and with dignity throughout the world.

Delaware County Peace Center was established in 1985. The role of the Peace Center is to build a peace and justice community that serves the needs of local activist organizations, families and individuals seeking to integrate peacemaking into their lives through art, music and various activities.