October 2, 2000

Dear Friends and family,

This is of utmost importance. Please take a moment to read this in full.

These past 48 hours, thousands upon thousands of Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) practitioners from all across China have descended upon Beijing, China's capital and heart, in a final thrust to appeal the ban on Falun Dafa. Old and young, male and female alike, they come to peacefully protest the Chinese government's vicious persecution--a tale of horrors they have endured for 14 months.

They go to Beijing knowing full well the severe punishment and extreme losses awaiting them. They appeal so that the truth might stand a chance, and so that you and I may become aware. May we be worthy of their sacrifices. Let it not be said that our hearts were unmoved, that we were too busy, or that we did not realize what was taking place. I ask that you visit http://www.faluninfo.net to see exactly what's happened in Beijing the past 48 hours (and recently); the site compiles reports from the world's media. May you bear witness, in whatever small way, to their courage and sacrifice.

If anyone has failed to understand the nature of the persecution, there is no mistaking it one year later: this is not the persecution of a few individuals (or even so much a movement), but what is good, righteous, and upright in the world today. It is an attack on Falun Dafa's very principles: Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance--the nature of the universe.

Just two weeks ago, several Chinese officials announced their plan to completely destroy Falun Dafa in the next three months; executions are rumored. In what might be remembered as China's darkest hour, however, some light is beginning to emerge. The tide appears to turning, ever so slightly, as many officials within the Chinese government are starting to resist the crackdown. The main one left is President Jiang Zemin, though his subordinates are beginning to not put up with his evil actions any longer, from what I gather.

The world must know the truth, and now, at that. Well over 50,000 practitioners of Falun Dafa have already been jailed for this cause, over 10,000 sentenced to years in labor camp (without trial), and thousands forced into mental hospitals for toxic injections. Many thousands more--perhaps millions--have lost their jobs, homes, educations, families, and even their lives while attempting to appeal to their government and the world; 53 have already died in custody from maltreatment, mostly torture. Through all of this, they have remained committed to non-violent resistance. Their sacrifices are unimaginable.

If you'd like to help in any way, PLEASE let me know. At an absolute minimum, I encourage you to help more people to learn the truth about Falun Gong and the situation in China; tell friends, family, neighbors, co-workers--anyone. This is an important moment in history, and those of us who are able to help absolutely must do what we can.

It was this cause, you may recall, that informed my early return from China last year. When the truth and what is righteous are viciously persecuted in the world, if we are not part of the solution, we are, I dare say, part of the problem--even if just by way of unaccountability. May we be present to this.

Related to the extremity of the evil deeds being committed against Falun Dafa, I believe, is a terrifying photo of the clouds over the earth that was taken by NASA the other day. It is a wake up call, if ever there was one, delivered by the heavens. President Clinton, after viewing the photo, insisted on making copies and distributed them to Pope John Paul II and other religious leaders.

Here's the URL to see the photo:http://www.clearwisdom.net/eng/2000/Oct/01/SFD100100.html. I think you'll agree there is no room for coincidence here. Only in light of the vicious persecution of Falun Dafa can this be understood.

This startling photo reminded me of something Mr. Li Hongzhi (the founder of Falun Dafa) wrote recently to his students: "All of your benevolent conduct is what evil fears most. Those who attack goodness are bound to be evil. The actions they are now adopting in the persecution of Dafa and its practitioners are extremely wicked and shameful, and they fear these will be exposed. Their evilness must be made known to people around the world..." (from the essay, 'Rationality') The evil must be exposed.

Let me know if you wish to do more to help stop what's unfolding in China. The http://www.faluninfo.net web site also has some practical suggestions. I'm delighted to share my thoughts further.

Please feel free to pass this on to people without hesitation. I leave you with the following, Mr. Li Hongzhi's last words before the persecution began: "Mankind! Wake up! The vows of Gods throughout history are being fulfilled. The Great Law (Dafa) is evaluating all lives. The path of life is under one's own feet. A person's single thought decides his own future. Treasure and cherish it: The Law (Fa) and the principles of the universe are right in front of you." (7/13/99, from 'Further Comments on Superstition')

Thanks for your concern.