(Clearwisdom.net) The horrific persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party has lasted for 10 years. Falun Gong practitioners have been continuously, peacefully and rationally protesting the persecution. More and more people have learned the truth of the persecution, and come to support Falun Gong and condemn the atrocities of the Chinese Communist Party.

On July 10, 2009, the Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis passed the following resolution calling on the Government of the United States to condemn the crime of harvesting organs from Falun Gong practitioners and other involuntary donors in China, and calling on Chinese government to abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to stop the persecution of Falun Gong and people of other faiths and to release all prisoners of conscience. The resolution reads, "...it is also our responsibility as human beings to raise awareness necessary to stop horrific crimes against our fellow human beings no matter what the cost."

City of Saint Louis

Resolution

Falun Gong

Whereas, Falun Gong (Falun Dafa, a traditional Chinese self cultivation practice, based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, that attracts millions of people of all ages and backgrounds is practiced in over 100 countries over the world; and

Whereas, the Falun Gong practitioners who peacefully cultivate high moral qualities and experience increased health and well-being, have been brutally persecuted since 1999 in China; and

Whereas, since July 1999, when China's former president launched the "eradication" campaign against Falun Gong, hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been detained and tortured for their beliefs; and

Whereas, an independent investigation, conducted by former Canadian MP, the Honorable David Kilgour and human rights lawyer, David Matas, concluded on July 6 that "there has been and continues today to be large scale organ seizures from unwilling Falun Gong practitioners"; and

Whereas, the Kilgour-Matas report stated, "the government of China and its agencies in numerous parts of the country since 1999 have put to death a large but unknown number of Falun Gong prisoners of conscience. Their vital organs, including heart, kidneys, livers and corneas, were virtually simultaneously seized involuntarily for sale at high prices, sometimes to foreigners, who normally face long waits for voluntary donations of such organs in their home countries;" and

Whereas, it is the responsibility of free and democratic nations to condemn the act of crimes against humanity and shameless disregard for human rights whenever they occur; and

Whereas, it is also our responsibility as human beings to raise awareness necessary to stop horrific crimes against our fellow human beings no matter what the cost.

Therefore Be It Resolved That the Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis call on the Government of the United States to condemn the crime of harvesting organs from Falun Gong practitioners and other involuntary donors in China;

And Be It Further Resolved That the Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis call on China's President, Hu Jintao and his government to abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to stop the persecution of Falun Gong and people of other faiths and to release all prisoners of conscience.

Introduced on the 10^th day of July, 2009 by:

Honorable Craig Schmid, Alderman 20^th Ward

Honorable Lewis E. Reed, President of the Board of Aldermen

Honorable Kenneth Ortmann, Alderman 9^th Ward

Honorable Alfred Wessels, Jr., Alderman 13^th Ward

Honorable Jennifer Florida, Alderwoman 15^th Ward

Honorable Joe Vacarro, Alderman 23^rd Ward

Honorable Shane Cohn, Alderman 25^th Ward

Adopted this the 10^th day of July, 2009 as attested by:

Craig Schmid

Aldermanic Sponsor

Clerk, Board of Aldermen

President, Board of Aldermen