(Clearwisdom.net) On July 20, Falun Gong practitioners from Southern California held a rally in protest of the 11-year persecution, calling for its immediate end.
Dr. Qu Zheng, the host of the rally and a Falun Gong practitioner, briefly reviewed the history of the peaceful resistance of the persecution. Then, professor Wu Yingnian from UCLA, also a practitioner, reviewed the facts of the persecution. He said that 3397 death cases of practitioners have been confirmed, more than 6000 practitioners are jailed in prison, and more than 100 thousand practitioners were sent to the labor camps. Practitioners who have been persecuted are from all social classes. Prof. Wu also pointed out that the persecution of Falun Gong is against the Chinese constitution.
Several practitioners shared their own experiences of being tortured in China.
Ms. Tian Lu (right 1)
Ms. Tian Lu, who came to the USA not long ago, and her husband, Cong Rixu, were arrested in China when they were telling people about the persecution of Falun Gong. Tian Lu was jailed for a month. Cong Rixu is still jailed in Nanguanling Prison in Dalian. Ms. Tian said: "I saw several policemen beat my husband badly when we were arrested." "Policemen cut my hair and forced me to wear a prison uniform. They ordered the criminals to curse me and force me to renounce Falun Gong."
Ms. Zhou Linna, a practitioner from China, has been arrested many times. In October 1999, on the way to a practitioner's home, she was arrested by the policemen who ambushed that practitioner's apartment. "I was jailed in Dongbeiwang Police Station in Beijing. I was tied to a tree in the yard. I saw many practitioners being badly beaten. When policemen were tired, they shocked practitioners with electric batons."
Dr. Zhang Yiyuan from UCLA. His mother and sister are still jailed in Shanghai.
Dr. Zhang Yiyuan from UCLA said that his mother and sister are currently jailed in Shanghai. They were arrested in June 2009. His sister was a financial manager of a company in Shanghai. She lost her job because of the persecution. Dr. Zhang said that policemen also harass his father and grandfather. The police put pressure on his father's boss, and his father also lost his job.
Dr. Qu Zheng stated that due to practitioners' 11-year peaceful resistance to the persecution and efforts to raise awareness, more and more people have learned of the evil nature of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). More than 77 million Chinese people have quit the party or associated communist organizations. "Chinese people will be free of endless persecution only when the CCP is no more," Dr. Qu said.
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical, mental, and spiritual health, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, have been undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 60 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.
On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Since the start of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.
Category: Rallies & Protests
