The Chinese government's suppression and persecution of Falun Dafa has not only impacted practitioners, but also their families, friends, and loved ones--virtually no one has gone unaffected. Families and relatives have been denied promotions at workplaces, acceptances by the colleges, enlistment in the army, and handed with severe monetary penalties. They have been dismissed from work. In some cases, they even have been tortured by the police only because their family members would not renounce Falun Dafa. Colleagues and neighbors have also been fined for not reporting on practitioners they know. It is no longer merely an issue of 100 million practitioners.

Yet, from this discouraging situation emerges further cause for hope, even optimism. Amidst China's present climate of fear and suspicion, people from all walks of life have stepped forward to verify that Falun Dafa is good. These persons, who are non-practitioners, have in most cases come to support Falun Dafa by seeing its goodness in the lives of their friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances. These citizens have risked personal safety in order to voice their concerns. We present this section so that their courageous efforts do not go unheard. It also suggests that anyone can be a factor in ending the tyrannical persecution that has befallen China and Falun Dafa. We dare say that one only needs stand up for the truth to be a part of the solution.

From the very beginning of their rule, Chinese Communist dictators have successfully implemented a "5% versus 95%" psychology: At any time, in any campaign of political persecution, only 5% of the people are targeted, while the remaining 95% are safe. This approach naturally brings out the very worst in human nature--people tend to cling to the 95% side at any cost, even at the expense of others, and close their eyes to the rights of the 5%. That is, people will do all in their power to become part of the majority, so as to avoid the suffering and the plight of the minority. Activism as we know it in the West is not a popular ethos in modern Chinese society. Which group constitutes that 5% has, of course, been rotated so often that it seems like every Chinese citizen has at some point been marginalized by his or her very own government. The Cultural Revolution is a chilling illustration of this 5% v. 95% tactic gone awry.

Similar lessons of avoiding association with the 5% minority can also be gleaned from Western history. Pastor Martin Niemöller recalled on his deathbed how he had succumbed to this "not me" response in Nazi Germany. On March 6, 1984, he stated: "First [the Nazis] came for the Jews. I was silent. I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists. I was silent. I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists. I was silent. I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me. There was no one left to speak for me."

It is precisely this realization that has moved millions of Falun Dafa practitioners to peacefully petition their government--legally, no less--for their basic human rights. The majority of these practitioners could enjoy the comfort of practicing quietly at home, should they so choose. Yet to do so would be to forsake higher principles. Knowing the inner meaning of Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance, they cannot sit at home while grave injustices are perpetrated against their practice and fellow practitioners. They have actively sought to define themselves as part of that 5%. This is something unprecedented in the annals of Chinese history. Inspired by Mr. Li's teachings, they have foiled the most heavy-handed, large-scale persecution by China's totalitarian regime.

As a result, more and more people in China who do not practice Falun Dafa are coming forward, stepping out of the seemingly innocent 95% group. They are simply good citizens whose consciences cannot allow them to stand by as the police come for their co-workers, their neighbors, and then their family members. They are inspired by the goodness of Falun Dafa to do what is right, no matter the cost.

One plea from a non-practitioner who survived the Cultural Revolution is telling. He wrote to CCP leaders to remind them of history's lessons:

"Chairman Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji and all members of the central government, isn't it true that each of you had experienced this kind of darkness at that period of time (the Great Cultural Revolution)? Have you forgotten this so quickly? Why do you want to impose the things that caused so much agony to you onto those innocent citizens now?"

From the bottom of his heart, another ordinary citizen wrote, "...I could not fathom, much less accept the government taking such actions [against Falun Gong]. I think what the government has done is wrong, unlawful, and a violation of the basic rights of a citizen. In my opinion, all Falun Gong practitioners are good people. They have the courage to tell the truth, and do things truthfully and honestly; they are kind, upright, open and aboveboard; they are healthy both in body and mind with noble character. ...If the government really wants to treat the good as the evil, who will trust the government? What it will surely lose is the support of its people..."

Many, many people have echoed precisely these sentiments.

The mother of one practitioner wrote the following in a letter of appeal. It captures well the sentiments of countless parents whose family's have been tormented by the persecution:

"I am the mother of a Falun Dafa practitioner. My son was imprisoned for a long time for attempting to appeal in Beijing. Falun Dafa is his belief. ...I hope the government release my son and all the detained Falun Gong practitioners. They are good people. They are the best people in the world. ...The society needs them. They are innocent."

Praising the virtues of his daughter and Falun Dafa, one father of a practitioner appealed to the head of the Chinese government, writing:

"President Jiang, ...I am not a Falun Gong practitioner, but I have never objected to it...Falun Gong has such a tremendous effect on healing and health. It also teaches people to be kind, follow good examples, and practitioners thereby all benefit from it. ...I often think, if people practice Falun Gong, not only will they be healthy and live a long life, but the country will also enjoy a high level of stability. ...Not only is my daughter kind, she is also upright in her behavior, ready to help others and never complains. She would never do anything harmful to the country or the people. A citizen like her should be praised. So why was she sentenced to three years in labor camp? It must be a mistake! ...Please, President Jiang, look into this. It is my sincere hope that the problem will be solved. I am looking forward to your reply."

A husband pleaded on behalf of his wife, a Falun Dafa practitioner, and society: "...She has been detained for half a year simply because she went to appeal in Beijing to let the truth be known. I really cannot understand why the government treats good people in such a way. Aren't you afraid to lose the support of the people? In my opinion, every Falun Gong practitioner has the best character. I call on kindhearted people to help bring justice to Falun Dafa. They are the best people in the world. They are innocent. I hope the government releases my wife, which would greatly benefit both society and my family."

Bella, a young girl from Sydney, Australia, cried for her beloved mother, a practitioner detained on a visit to China, whom she had not seen for over four months. "I think about her in the daytime. At night, I dream of her. ...Adults say it is painful to experience separation from your family and the passing away of your family member. Now I recognize how painful it is."

Bella told us: "My mother used to have serious rheumatism and had to often lie in bed. We worried about her life. After she practiced Falun Dafa, her health improved every day and finally totally recovered. ...My whole family has benefited from practicing Falun Dafa. Falun Dafa gave my mother a second life. Adults taught me that when we received a drop of water, we should return it with a pond of water. What my mother got was a new life! Therefore she has to tell people the truth about Falun Dafa. However, the Chinese Consulate in Sydney refused to accept our letters to the Chinese government. Therefore, my mother had to venture to return to China in order to tell them face to face how good Falun Dafa is. She has been detained for more than four months. ...Mom, I am thinking of you. Would the Chinese government please respect human rights and release my mom."

The mourning of Zhang Xueling, the daughter of Chen Zixiu (who was tortured to death for her practice), is simply heart wrenching. Yet it also sheds light on how Falun Dafa practitioners under the persecution have touched the lives of millions upon millions of non-practicing Chinese citizens.

"Dear Mom! Where can I find you now?" wrote Chen's daughter in a letter to the top leaders in China. "My mother's good health was obvious to all the people around her. ...Her kindheartedness, selflessness, and straightforwardness were highly regarded by all around her. ...We admire her strong will, her personality and her spirit. All the people around her know that she was a good person. But her end was such a saddening one."

Zhang used to practice Falun Dafa before the suppression. She even helped authorities try to stop her mother from practicing. In the end, tragically, it was her mother's horrifying death that awakened her to the truth of the situation. Angered and disturbed, she began to look back and reflect on everything, including her own decision to quit practicing Falun Dafa. In the end, she went to appeal to the Chinese government to ask for justice over her mother's death. She also talked to reporters, hoping the facts of her mother's death would be known to all. For this, surprisingly, she was subpoenaed 4 times, and held for a total of 107 hours. Eventually she was arrested and detained for 15 days. In the detention center where she was held, she started to read again Zhuan Falun, Falun Dafa's principal book. She later realized: "Ever since my mother's death, I've been searching everywhere for justice by rule of law. However, what has touched me the most is the principle of Falun Dafa."

Zhang summarized her convictions, stating: "my mom had done nothing wrong, yet she was tortured to death. It definitely is not Falun Gong that killed her. ...The cause of our nation's immense tragedy is muddled and apathetic souls. The practitioners [of Falun Gong] are so great. They are willing to sacrifice their own lives for the principles they believe in. How important faith can be! Practitioners are unbeatable. Aside from slandering and accusation, the government has yet to provide a piece of real evidence." She continued: "I have started to practice again. It feels so good to practice again. If everyone takes Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance as the ultimate principle, and cultivates with ones heart, one will be rewarded with the best... the Government's persecution and suppression look so pale now."

All of these people, supporters of Falun Dafa, have had to endure tremendous hardship under the persecution as well. And they, too, have done so without resorting to violence. This is truly remarkable. They have remained noble and upright under unimaginable circumstances, acting according to the principles of Falun Dafa--principles that they have learned primarily by way of example.