(Clearwisdom.net)

Ms. Margarita L pez, New York City Council Member in District 2, wrote a letter on August 6 to Alan Gerson, a New York City Council Member in District 1. This letter is regarding the recent incident in which New York Falun Gong practitioners were assaulted. Ms. Margarita L pez encourages Mr.Gerson take further action to resolve this incident.

In the letter, Ms. Margarita L pez wrote, "I am writing regarding a request of assistance for an incident that occurred out of my district where a Falun Gong practitioner was beaten up by several people on June 23, 2003 in the East Broadway Mall in Chinatown. The woman who contacted my office, Mela Wu Malin, believes the incident was a religious hate crime."

"Falun Gong is a spiritual practice that consists of exercises and postures, combined with a meditation component. It is based on three values-Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Falun Gong has been outlawed in the Republic of China and practitioners are now being persecuted. In the United States of America we strongly defend the freedom of belief and freedom of expression. If this incident that occurred on June 23^rd was indeed a bias crime, further action should be taken."

"...I am looking for your leadership and direction on this matter since this incident took place in your district. I want to be supportive on any measure you will take on this matter."