Church Women United (CWU) endorses the SOS campaign to rescue members of the Falun Gong practitioners in China. As a part of working towards making the "world safer for families in the 21st century," we view the rally at the U.S. Capitol on July 19th as a way of calling attention to the needs of the people of China.
For two years thousands of women, men and children have been detained in labor camps, tortured and murdered for practicing the principles of Truth, Compassion and Tolerance. The violence has escalated to such a point to where no one is spared - not even women, children and the elderly. All who are practitioners or supporters of Falun Gong are subjected to inhumane brutality at the hands of those who want to see a peaceful faith eradicated.
As early as 1948, Church Women United has recognized the need for governments to respect the dignity and worth of every person in every area of life. Church Women United's statement on the "Respect of Human Personality" states, " ... we affirm certain basic freedoms, namely, freedom of conscience; of belief, including political and economic; freedom of movement, association and assembly; freedom of press and speech; and in the freedom of the mind in searching for truth." Church Women United stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in China and we are calling for an end to the brutal suppression of the practitioners of Falun Gong.