(Minghui.org) On July 20, 1999, the Chinese communist regime launched a violent campaign to eradicate Falun Gong, a peaceful meditation practice that has brought health and happiness to millions of people worldwide.
On July 19, 2013, Falun Gong practitioners in San Francisco, California, held an “anti-torture” exhibit to mark 14 years of the brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, which has continued to this day. Millions of practitioners have been illegally imprisoned in detention centers, brainwashing centers, forced labor camps and prisons in China, being subjected to inhumane torture and abuse.
The exhibit was held in front of the City Hall to raise awareness of the Chinese regime's blatant disregard of human rights and its deplorable crime of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners.
Practitioners reenacted some of the torture methods that the Chinese regime has used on detained Falun Gong practitioners and called upon kindhearted people of the world to step forward and help stop the regime's human rights abuses.
Local practitioners hold an anti-torture exhibit in front of City Hall in San Francisco to raise awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong in China.
Reenactment of torture method “Water Dungeon”
People learn about Falun Gong and the persecution in China.
Widespread Support
Many San Francisco residents and visitors to the city stopped by the exhibit to learn about Falun Gong and show their support. Heartfelt comments, such as “What you are doing is very meaningful!” and “These crimes must be stopped!” were heard throughout the day.
More than 500 people signed a petition to call upon members of the U.S. Congress to pass House Resolution No. 281.
The resolution was introduced by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and Congressman Robert Andrews (D-N.J.) in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs this summer. It calls on China to immediately stop the practice of organ harvesting from prisoners, particularly from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience and “members of other religious and ethnic minority groups.”
People Condemn the Persecution
In addition to serving the needs of government officials, San Francisco City Hall is one of the city's famous tourist spots, drawing crowds of people from all walks of life every day. Falun Gong practitioners reenacted “harvesting organs from a living Falun Gong practitioner” and three torture methods--“Water Dungeon,” “Being Hung Up” and “Tiger Bench”--attracting attention of many passersby.
Mario, who used to work for the San Francisco Symphony, walked up to a practitioner and told her that it is very important that more people learn about what is happening in China. “People must learn about this,” he said.
Therapist Laura Agnew and her friends were surprised upon seeing the anti-torture exhibit. After a practitioner explained to them about how the agents of the Chinese communist regime have tortured Falun Gong practitioners and forcibly removed their organs, selling them for profit, Dr. Agnew thanked the practitioner and said, “Undoubtedly, it [the persecution] must be stopped!” She and her friends all signed the petition.
A passerby speaks with a practitioner to learn more about Falun Gong.
Many people sign a petition calling on the members of U.S. Congress to pass House Resolution No. 281.
“It's very inhuman,” said Pfitzer, an accountant working for a government agency in San Francisco, referring to the act of organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners. She also signed the petition. “You should let more people learn about it. I hope these crimes can be stopped as soon as possible,” she said.
Kash, a business owner in the city, had seen practitioners hold various activities to expose the persecution and thus already had some understanding of Falun Gong. He suggested that practitioners let a wide range of people learn about the persecution, not only within the San Francisco city government, but also among the members of NGOs and the federal government.
Many people keep silent because of the economic benefits coming from China, noted Kash. “So you should vigorously do this thing [expose the persecution]. I hope that these situations will be quickly changed,” he said.
“It's shocking!” exclaimed Terri, a nurse, as she passed by and learned about the forced live organ harvesting. She thanked the practitioners for exposing the truth. “It's the most evil crime in human society. I hope it will be stopped immediately!” she added.
Category: July 20 Events
