(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a rally and march in Washington D.C. on July 21 to condemn the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 23-year-long persecution. They also called for the brutality to end.
Before the rally, U.S. senators and congressmen sent letters to the Falun Dafa Association, which hosted the rally, expressing their solidarity with Falun Dafa and condemning the CCP’s persecution and the CCP’s organ harvesting from living practitioners.
These U.S. Congress members include: Republican Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and new chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, Republican Senator Marco Rubio for Florida, Republican Senator Ted Cruz for Texas, Republican Senator Ron Johnson for Wisconsin, Republican Senator John Boozman for Arkansas, Representative Gus Bilirakis for the 12th District of Florida, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton for Washington, D.C., Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler for the 3rd District of Washington, Rep. Tom Emmer for the 6th District of Minnesota, Rep. Vicky Hartzler for the 4th District of Missouri, Rep. Tom Tiffany for the 7th District of Wisconsin, Rep. Stephen Lynch for the 8th District of Massachusetts, and Rep. Sam Graves for the 6th District of Missouri, Rep. Ron Kind for the 3rd District of Wisconsin, Rep. Glenn Grothman for the 6th District of Wisconsin, and Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado.
Senator Marco Rubio and his letter
Senator Marco Rubio stated in his letter, “Twenty-three years ago, thousands of peaceful Falun Gong practitioners were abruptly and brutally detained in the Chinese Communist Party’s effort to eradicate the Falun Gong practice. Today, we solemnly remember the countless souls who were lost in that hateful campaign, as well as the many more who have tragically been subjected to horrific abuse, forced labor, torture, and worse in the years since.
“The ability to freely and peacefully practice one’s faith is a fundamental right that belongs to all individuals. No government or political movement has the right to interfere in another’s peaceful worship. Sadly, the Chinese Communist Party has no regard for the dignity and rights of the people it claims to represent, as has been proven through the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, as well as against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic groups.
“I once again join your call for Beijing to put an end of all religious persecution, immediately lift the ban on Falun Gong practice, and release all Falun Gong practitioners imprisoned for their beliefs. I reaffirm my commitment to do all I can in the United States Congress to ensure that those responsible for these abuses are held accountable.”
Senator Ted Cruz
Texas Senator Ted Cruz said in his video greeting that the CCP had abused its power and committed egregious human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners over the past two decades. Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed. Perhaps more disturbing than this endless persecution is the CCP’s ability to commit atrocities with impunity.
He pointed out that the CCP violates human rights and conducts organ harvesting from imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners without remorse.
He said he unequivocally condemned the CCP’s inhumane treatment of Falun Gong practitioners and demanded that the CCP protect their lives and freedoms.
Senator Ron Johnson and his letter
Senator Ron Johnson stated in his letter, “For decades, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been waging an intensive, comprehensive, and unforgiving campaign against religious and ethnic minorities in China, including Falun Gong, Uyghurs, Christians, and Tibetans. Reports of arbitrary detention, discrimination, torture, and even organ harvesting are extremely troubling, and the CCP must be held accountable for such actions. Despite this deplorable treatment, you continue to courageously oppose the CCP’s repression, and I applaud your continued perseverance.”
He stated, “Today, I join you in calling for an end to the persecution of all religious and ethnic groups in China, including Falun Gong, Uyghurs, Muslims, and Tibetans. I support your pursuit of a free and peaceful future.”
Senator John Boozman and his letter
Senator John Boozman stated in his letter, “I welcome you to this year’s rally in support of ending the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong. As you are sadly aware, 23 years ago today, the Chinese Communist Party banned the practice of Falun Gong within China, and since then, Falun Gong practitioners have been tragically persecuted for simply practicing their faith.
“Your struggle for religious freedom has been nothing short of inspirational to those around the world who respect freedom of religions. From underground printing houses and innovative and robust internet freedom software, to media outlets that broadcast uncensored information, you have given hope and encouragement not only to Falun Gong practitioners who are still persecuted, but also to other oppressed religious groups around the world.”
Representative Gus M Bilirakis expresses his support via video.
Representative Gus M Bilirakis for Florida said in his video greeting that the CCP has always been one of the worst criminals on the planet.
He said, “Over the past few decades the CCP persecuted religious minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Christians, Buddhists, and Xinjiang Uyghurs. And over time, this unacceptable violation of human rights has only intensified and worsened.”
He said he supported the resolution urging the UN to take necessary and appropriate procedural action to remove China from the UN Security Council. “We must continue to hold the CCP accountable for its wrong deeds, and take a firm stand to show that the international community will no longer tolerate the CCP’s misconduct.”
(To be continued)
Background: What Is Falun Dafa and Why Is the CCP Persecuting It?
Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings, which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and have learned the five exercises, have experienced improved health and well-being.
Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline’s growing popularity as a threat to the CCP’s atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, he issued an order to eradicate the practice.
Under Jiang’s personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.
Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 23 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. Countless practitioners have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.
There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply China’s organ transplant industry.
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