(Minghui.org) July 20, 2012 marked the 13th year of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. On July 12, 2012, US Congressman Russ Carnahan wrote the following letter in support of Falun Gong Practitioners' public rally in front of the US Capitol in Washington DC:
Congress of the United States Senate
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
July 12, 2012
Please accept my apologies that I could not be here in person for today’s rally calling for an end to the 13-year persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese government. I commend your strong commitment to fight for equality and justice.
Here in the United States, our Founding Fathers had the foresight and ingenuity to include strong protections in our Constitution for personal freedom, specifically those of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Policy makers continue to strive to build our nation’s laws on these basic freedoms to ensure the simple, but profound premise, that all of us were created equal. America supported the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after World War II in the hopes of promoting these values around the world. Yet the persecution faced by Falun Gong practitioners simply for their beliefs is a stark reminder to all of us that the struggle for universal rights is far from over.
Over the last decade, the Chinese government has systematically engaged in policies of persecution, intimidation, imprisonment, torture, and even death to stop the Falun Gong movement. I am saddened that these brutal practices continue.
The United States must stand firmly against these policies that infringe on the inalienable human rights of the Chinese people. We must protect the freedoms of belief, religion, speech, the freedom from fear, and other essential freedoms outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I admire your ongoing dedication to strive for justice of Falun Gong. I thank you for assembling here today at the United States Capitol to educate the rest of the world about your plight. Although I was not able to attend today, please know that I will continue to support your community’s fight for basic rights and freedoms.
Sincerely,
Russ Carnaham
Member of Congress
