(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners and supporters staged a rally in front of Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on July 16. More than 1000 practitioners, nine U.S. Congressmen, and representatives from more than 10 non-government organizations (NGOs) were in attendance. The rally was in protest of ten years of persecution of Falun Gong, and in recognition of the July 20 ten year anniversary of the beginning of the persecution. Burton Wides, a Senior Counsel, House Judiciary Committee attorney, said this is "powerful truth and a call for conscience."
The rally
Burton Wides
Burton Wides, a Senior Counsel, House Judiciary Committee attorney, has helped a lot of Falun Gong practitioners, offering pro bono legal counsel. He came to the rally to express his support. He said that the persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP is worse than the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Nero. The persecution is not only towards Falun Gong, but also aims to destroy the moral standards and human principles of all people. Mr. Wides said he is willing to help practitioners, as the CCP's behavior violates basic human rights.
Mr. Wides was happy to see so many people assembled at the rally, trying to end the persecution. He said this is "powerful truth and a call for conscience."
Doctor Larmor and family
Doing exercises in front of Capitol Hill.
Dr. Larmor and his family are vacationing in Washington D.C. from their home in Germany. They were attracted to the peaceful exercises, watching for a long time. They were shocked when they learned about the persecution.
"They are so peaceful. We can sense that wonderful peacefulness. Not only the meditation is peaceful, but also their attitude and approach are peaceful in resisting the persecution," Dr. Larmor said "I can't understand why the Chinese government persecutes such a peaceful group! They bring no harm to anyone."
Dr. Larmor's wife is a mathematician. She agreed with her husband. "We had the Nazi tragedy in Germany. We are against any persecution. Everybody on the planet should have the basic human rights and freedom of belief."
Dr. and Mrs. Larmor were happy to meet Falun Gong practitioners. They asked for the website about Falun Gong. They said that they would try the meditation themselves.
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 Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Today, 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.
