July 4, 2001

About two dozen Falun Gong practitioners gathered in the shade of Hemming Plaza yesterday to protest the Chinese government's persecution of the group.

The group performed the Falun Gong exercises (an Asian meditation exercise similar to yoga and tai chi), listened to a speech and read letters of support from U.S. Rep. Ric Keller, R-Fla., and Florida House Speaker Tom Feeney.

After the demonstration, several members resumed their 1,000-mile bike trip from Orlando to Washington, where they will meet other Falun Gong supporters for a parade and demonstration.

"It was something that I could do to affect the plight of practitioners in China," said Chris Jasurek, a 40-year-old American who joined the awareness bike tour from his home in Orlando.

Falun Gong was introduced to the Chinese general public in 1992 and its numbers quickly grew to more than 70 million practitioners today. Although the group claims no political ties or religious affiliation, the Chinese government viewed the fast-growing trend a threat to [party name omitted] ideals and banned the practice of Falun Gong in July 1999.

More than 50,000 people who practice Falun Gong in their homes or public parks have been put in jail by the Chinese government, and some have been tortured in labor camps and mental institutions. About 230 people have died while in custody.

In May, President Bush denounced the Chinese government's treatment of practitioners as "acts of fear and therefore of weakness."

"I feel really bad," said Yibo Huang, a Jacksonville practitioner. "The people in China, they don't even have this basic right to do this everyday exercise."

The 38-year-old computer programmer exercises on his lunch break outside the Alltel building.

The number of Falun Gong practitioners in Jacksonville, Huang said, is low, with only about 12 known people.

"I think it's really good exercise, and I like people to share my belief and share this exercise," said Huang, who helped the group organize its Jacksonville visit.