Over 5,000 Expected in Washington DC to Rally for Falun Gong

House Briefing on Chinese Regime's Persecution of Falun Gong on U.S. Soil

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Over 5,000 are expected in Washington DC for four-day event to expose former Chinese Communist leader's persecution of Falun Gong. (special report)

WASHINGTON DC (FDI) -- Four years ago in China on July 20, men and women throughout the country who volunteered their time to setup Falun Gong practice sites in public parks were taken from their homes in the middle of the night. It was the beginning of a persecution campaign -- launched by former Chinese Communist leader Jiang Zemin -- against the ancient Chinese exercise and meditation discipline.

Four years later, Chinese government sources indicate thousands have died from torture and abuse in China. (reports / sources) More than 100,000 languish in labor camps, sentenced without trial. Millions of ordinary Chinese citizens have been arbitrarily detained, harassed, fired from their jobs, or expelled from school -- all simply because they practice Falun Gong.

Rally for Human Rights, Freedom and Justice

Over 5,000 people from across North America, Europe and Asia are expected to converge on the nation's capital this weekend to participate in a series of events beginning Saturday with an outdoor concert and culminating with a rally on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, July 22, hosted by former U.S. Ambassador Mark Palmer.

Spanning four days, the events aim to expose the Chinese Communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong and the role of the former Chinese leader, Jiang Zemin, as the driving force behind the persecution. (special report)

Chinese Agents Extend Persecution to U.S. Soil

Included among the activities is a House briefing on Monday, July 21, held by the office of Congressman Henry Hyde, Chair of the House International Relations Committee. The briefing will look into a recent assault case in New York City where Falun Gong practitioners were attacked by Chinese association heads known to have close ties to the Chinese government. (news)

Witnesses and government officials are calling the attack a hate crime, and part of a larger, systematic effort by Chinese regime agents to persecute Falun Gong in the U.S. (special report)

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Washington DC Event Details: July 19 - 22

Interviews Available with Victims, Witnesses of Torture and Killings in China

Date: Saturday, July 19
Event: Light and Peace Concert with Candlelight Vigil
Time: 10:00am -- 10:00pm
Location: Capitol Reflection Pool in between US Capitol building and 3rd Street NW, DC
Contacts: Lisa Fan 703-304-7929 (Chinese, English), Jared 407-415-8384 (English)

Date: Monday, July 21
Event: March from Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol
Time: 11:30am -- 1:00pm
Starting Location: Washington Monument, DC
Contacts: Mindy Ge 202-669-9437 or Bin Xue 240-731-4782

Date: Monday, July 21
Event: House International Relations Committee Briefing on Hate Crimes against Falun Gong in U.S.
Time: 2:00pm -- 3:00pm
Location: Rayburn Building, Room 2200
Contacts: Gail Rachlin 917-757-9780

Date: Monday, July 21
Event: Candlelight Vigil
Time: 7:00pm -- 8:30pm
Location: Washington Monument, DC
Contacts: Mindy Ge 202-669-9437 or Bin Xue 240-731-4782

Date: Monday, July 21
Event: Cultural/Social/Art Exhibition Events
Time: 9:00am -- 8:00pm
Location: Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Ave and 14th Street NW, Washington, DC)
Contacts: Su Jing 301-792-2763

Date: Tuesday, July 22
Event: People's Tribunal of Jiang Zemin and Public Rally
Time: 10:30am -- 12:30pm People's Tribunal; 12:30pm -- 2:30pm Public Rally
Location: Lower West Terrace Lawn of the US Capitol (between Capitol Hill and the reflecting pool)
Contacts: Keith Ware 202-256-4705, Lijuan Zhang 202-285-7675

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER
Contacts: Gail Rachlin ([phone]), Levi Browde ([phone]), Erping Zhang ([phone]), or Feng Yuan ([phone]).
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