(Clearwisdom.net) On the afternoon of March 27, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners in Washington DC held a rally in Lafayette Square near the White House to protest the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) escalation of the persecution of Falun Gong under the excuse of "preparation" for the Olympics. Several practitioners gave speeches on the recent escalation of the CCP's arrests and torture of practitioners in China, among whom some were beaten to death. The rally drew the attention of passersby. Many people urged the US government to help stop the persecution. Some people strongly protested the CCP's holding the Olympics, due to their trampling of human rights.

Dr. Shantao Lai from the Falun Dafa Association of Washington DC revealed that as the Beijing Olympics approach, the CCP issued secret orders to conduct large-scale arrests of Falun Gong practitioners with directives to send them to forced labor camp. This renewed round of persecution has led to more death cases.

Practitioner Mr. Guo, speaking at the rally, said, "Despite the CCP's strict information blockade, the death of more than twenty Falun Gong practitioners since January this year has been documented, and 109 death cases were documented in 2007. This is a new round of large-scale persecution since the persecution began in 1999. The escalation is related to the Beijing Olympics. Several practitioners were tortured to death within a short time after being arrested."

Practitioner Mr. Tian, an electrical engineer, gave some examples of death cases and the CCP's means of persecution: "On January 26, 2008, police stopped and checked Falun Gong practitioner and musician Yu Zhu and his wife Xu Na when the couple was on their way home after work. The police arrested them and sent to a detention center. Ten days later, Yu Zhou was tortured to death. Xu Na was transferred to the Seventh Department of the Beijing Detention Center. The case has drawn wide attention."

Danielle Wang called on the international community to help rescue her father Wang Zhiwen, who has been imprisoned for nearly nine years. She said, "I am a first-hand witness to and victim of CCP tyranny. Facing the CCP's physical and mental persecution, my father maintains his steadfast belief in 'Truth-Compassion-Tolerance.' I call on the US government and all people to help my father regain freedom. The Olympics cannot be used as an excuse for the CCP's evil deeds."

There were many tourists from around the world in front of the White House. Many of them signed the petition urging the US government to stop the CCP's escalation of persecution under the excuse of the Olympics.

Ms. Decman, a teacher from a New York high school, brought a group of students to visit Washington DC. She said, "Nowadays the whole world is paying attention to China's human rights situation. China's sponsorship of the Olympics might encounter trouble." She feels that China's human rights condition is so poor that China should not hold the Olympics.

A family visiting from Colorado stopped by the rally site. Ms. Meigs said that a government that deals with its own people in such a way as China requires that someone speak out. Her daughter indicated full agreement.

Ms. Meigs's mother said that the Olympics symbolize peace and that boycotting the Beijing Olympics would send a clear message that persecution of human rights cannot be accepted.

Fred, a chemist from Maryland, had paid attention to the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong for a long time. He said that he has studied the communist party since the 1970s and did not have any hope or illusion about the CCP. He believes that only through the disintegration of the CCP can the persecution be stopped. He said he feels ashamed that his government maintains ties with the CCP and turns a blind eye to its tyranny.

Mr. Shepard, a teacher from Washington, brought a friend from the Bahamas to visit the White House. They stopped at the rally and signed the petition immediately. Mr. Shepard said, "The world will pay attention and listen. We all should pay attention."