Vol 2, No. 29

July 20, 2003

By Shant R. Shahrigian

Sunday staff writer

An estimated 5,000 Falun Gong practitioners will converge in Washington this weekend to recognize the fourth anniversary of the start of the Chinese government's crackdown on their spiritual practice.

The conference, which started Saturday and ends Tuesday, will include rallies, cultural exhibitions and masses of practitioners meditating and exercising in unison on the National Mall.

"It's very impressive to see a sea of people sitting there in meditation," said Keith Ware of Washington, a coordinator for the conference.

After its introduction to the public in 1992, the ancient spiritual practice of Falun Gong became widely popular in its country of origin, China. Four years ago Sunday, the Chinese government began a crackdown on practitioners that has resulted in thousands of executions and detainments, according to the human rights group Amnesty International.

This will be the third year thousands of Falun Gong practitioners gather in the District to discuss, protest and raise awareness of the persecution of their fellow adherents in China. Most will come from the United States, but several hundred international visitors are expected.

On Saturday, they held a concert and candlelight vigil by the Reflecting Pool and protested outside the Chinese Embassy.

"If the whole world knows the truth, especially the people in China, I think this persecution will be ended," said Lisa Fan of Alexandria, who helped coordinate the conference. "That's why it's very critical to raise public awareness, to spread the truth."

The main event for practitioners Sunday is a discussion of their personal experiences with Falun Gong and the persecution. The location of the event was kept secret by its three main organizers until Saturday night for fear that Chinese government officials would attempt to disrupt the discussion. The information was unavailable at the time of publication.

Highlights of Monday's events include a parade from the Washington Monument to the Capitol building, art exhibits at Freedom Plaza and protests at the Chinese Embassy. Tuesday afternoon, practitioners will hold a mock trial of former Chinese president Jiang Zemin between Capitol Hill and the Reflecting Pool on charges pertaining to the persecution.