Washington DC: Rally Calls for End to 25-Year Persecution of Falun Gong, Elected Officials and Dignitaries Voice Support

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners and supporters held a rally on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol on July 11 calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 25-year-long persecution. Several congressional members and dignitaries spoke at the rally, and a number of US lawmakers sent video greetings or letters of support.

A rally was held on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol on July 11

Practitioner Chen Jingyu speaks in the rally, calling on the CCP to release her sister, Chen Jinghui, and other imprisoned practitioners.

Senators and House Representatives sent letters and videos urging the CCP to stop the persecution before the 25^th anniversary.

From left to right and top to bottom:First row: Senator James Risch of Idaho, Senator Todd Young of Indiana, Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, Representative Sam Graves of Missouri.Second row: Representatives Rob Wittman and Gerald “Gerry” Connolly of Virginia, Representative Bill Pascrell Jr. of New Jersey, Representative Dan Newhouse of Washington, Representative French Hill of Arkansas.Third row: Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Representative Young Kim of California, Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina Mace, Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri, and Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C.

Congressman Pat Ryan: The CCP’s Persecution Cannot Be Tolerated

House Representative Pat Ryan addressed the rally.

Congressman Pat Ryan said in his speech that he was glad to see practitioners and the organizers again. They have worked tirelessly for this extraordinary and united day. He said that their participation in this event in the scorching heat proves their firm belief in Falun Gong (Falun Dafa).

“We’re here today to make a clear declaration that the United States in a bipartisan way stands with the Falun Gong community, stands for freedom, stands for religious freedom, and stands against the Chinese Communist Party’s direct attacks on that religious freedom.”

Congressman Ryan said that practitioners’ steadfastness in the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance is an example for everyone to learn from, especially in these turbulent times. He said, “Therefore, I am proud to be a steadfast partner of Falun Gong and to co-sponsor the Falun Gong Protection Act. The passage of the Falun Gong Protection Act sends a clear and loud message to the Chinese Communist Party. The CCP’s egregious behavior toward Falun Gong will not be tolerated. We must continue to unite to hold organ traffickers accountable for their abominable crimes.”

“I will continue to speak out without hesitation or reservation against the restriction and persecution of human rights, and the free practice of religion,” he said. “I’ve sworn an oath to protect and support those members of the Falun Gong community being persecuted.”

He also talked about watching Shen Yun last year, “The performance was such a spectacular and inspiring demonstration of why we must preserve the rich arts and culture and history of the traditional Chinese faith in the Falun Gong community, and why practitioners of Falun Gong are so admirably committed to inner peace, why they deserve to live freely and without fear.”

CECC Staff Director: The CCP’s Forced Organ Harvesting Is Horrible

Piero Tozzi, Staff Director of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), addressed the rally.

Piero Tozzi, Staff Director of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), spoke on behalf of Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, Chair of CECC, and Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Co-chair of CECC.

He said for 25 years, the Falun Gong has been warning those who would listen of the toxic danger of the Chinese Communist Party. The persecution of the Falun Gong reveals the true nature of the regime.

He said of all the appalling human rights abuses inflicted upon the Falun Gong, forced organ harvesting was the most horrible. Falun Gong practitioners were the first targets of the CCP’s organ harvesting.

He mentioned that he met with two two family members of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners. “Zhou You’s father, Zhou Deyong, who is listed on our CECC political prisoner database, was detained in April 2021, and since then been sentenced to eight years in prison. His health has deteriorated, and he has lost almost all his teeth.

“Kang Shuzhi’s nephew, Hou Lijun, has been imprisoned since last year. He went on a hunger strike to protest the persecution of Falun Gong, and for that, was singled out for more intense punishment, including beatings, sleep deprivation and being forced to sit on a chair for hours on end. When his family revealed the abuse, he received even more retribution, and he has since then disappeared.”

He stated that on behalf of and with the permission of family members of Zhou Deyong and Hou Lijun, the CECC calls upon the CCP to release these two victims.

USCIRF Commissioner: Condemning the CCP’s Persecution

USCIRF Commissioner Asif Mahmood speaking at the rally

Asif Mahmood, a Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), said in his speech that in the 25 years since the CCP began persecuting Falun Gong, the situation of religious freedom in China has deteriorated, and Falun Gong practitioners have borne the brunt of the CCP’s persecution.

He said, “Chinese authorities have relentlessly harassed, surveilled, fined, detained, imprisoned, denied medical care, and tortured to death Falun Gong practitioners for their religious activities and outspoken advocacy. There are even reports that Chinese authorities have engaged in forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners.”

He said USCIRF condemned in the strongest possible terms the CCP’s brutal repression of Falun Gong practitioners.

President of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation: Horrible Crime of Forced Organ Harvesting

Dr. Eric Patterson, President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, speaking at the rally

Dr. Eric Patterson said in July of 1999, the CCP decided to actually crack down, and we’ve seen 25 years of oppression. We’ve seen things such as extra-judicial killing, imprisonment, this terrible crime of the harvesting of human organs.

He said, “So what is our vision for the days ahead? One, justice, accountability for the crimes perpetrated against religious minorities in China. And second, a positive vision of freedom, religious freedom and other public freedoms for all the citizens of China. So this 25th commemoration, we stand with you in solidarity, and we look for a day where we’ll see a change not just in China, but for religious freedom for everyone around the globe.”

Legal Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International: Falun Gong Suffers the Unimaginable

Sean Nelson, Legal Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, speaks in the rally.

Sean Nelson, Legal Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, said, “Many people have said the CCP has been launching a war on faith, and the Falun Gong were the initial victims of that 25 years ago. So many of the horrifying, gross violations of human rights and religious freedom that have affected so many religious communities within China. Those techniques were started on the Falun Gong.”

He condemned the CCP’s organ harvesting, one of the most despicable crimes, and mentioned the Falun Gong Protection Act, which was unanimously passed in the House of Representatives. He hoped that it will be quickly taken up by the Senate, because that bill would bring real accountability to the Communist Party in China.

“Over 25 years, the Falun Gong have suffered in every way imaginable," said Mr. Nelson. "Today, we stand with you. We stand with your communities. We call for an end to this repression, the end to the torture, the end to the imprisonment, and for the beginning of a new era of freedom for the Falun Gong, and for all religious groups within China.”

President of the Christian Freedom International: Oppose the CCP’s Persecution of Falun Gong

Wendy Wright, President of the Christian Freedom International, addressed the rally.

Wendy Wright, President of the Christian Freedom International, said, “It is an honor for me to be here with you today. You have been such an example for many of us, who have stood against the atrocities that are occurring in China. We stand with you against the atrocities that are occurring against Falun Gong, Christians, Ugyhers, and others that the Chinese communists have been abusing with impunity.”

She said that the House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 4132, imposing sanctions on foreign persons who are complicit in the involuntary organ harvesting occurring in China. She encouraged practitioners to keep advocated for such legislation.

“I would like to take a moment now, right now, to remember those who are being persecuted by the Chinese communists, the Falun Gong, Christians, Uyghers and others who right now are being held in prison, are being forcibly attacked against their bodies. We pray for their healing, we pray for them to be reunited with their families, and we pray for justice. Justice on their behalf and justice against those who committed the atrocities,” she said.

Executive Director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea: Support Falun Gong Practitioners’ Rights and Freedom

Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, speaks in the rally.

Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, said, “Let me begin by expressing my deep admiration for Falun Gong practitioners in China, in the United States and elsewhere in the world. To us, human rights defenders engaged in so many uphill struggles against tyranny and oppression, you truly provide a formidable role model.”

Despite repressive, ruthless CCP campaigns to eradicate this ancient spiritual practice grounded in millennia of authentic Chinese tradition and universal values including Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, practitioners have survived. A quarter century after the start of the massive CCP campaign and purge aimed at its extermination, Falun Gong has survived and struggled on.

He said, “We stand for the rights and freedom of Falun Gong practitioners in China and beyond. I am one of many who are horrified by the atrocities and crimes against humanity the CCP has committed against Falun Gong practitioners. Systematic forced organ harvesting in particular shocks the conscience of mankind. As a human rights defender, I am heartened to know that the House has passed H.R. 4132, the Falun Gong Protection Act. And I hope and pray that the Act will pass in the Senate and be signed into law.

“In the midst of great adversity, it is a true honor and a privilege to be standing by your side, Falun Gong sisters and brothers. Your resilience and tenacity are a true beacon of hope for all of us.”

President of the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP: The CCP Is Being Swept into the Dumpster of History

Yi Zhongyuan, President of the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP, speaks in the rally.

Ms. Yi said, “Today, I am very honored to speak on behalf of the Global Service Center for Quitting the Chinese Communist Party to share with you the great news that over 432 million Chinese people have renounced the Chinese Communist Party, and its affiliates. Congratulations to 432 million Chinese for their bravery in choosing freedom and a bright future.

“As we can see, with 432 million Chinese having quit the CCP, this significant Tuidang movement (quit the CCP movement) has brought about fundamental social changes in China today. The Chinese Communist Party is in the process of being swept into dumpster of history.

“We urge the international community to support the Tuidang movement, to support Chinese people’s choice for freedom. Now it’s time to end the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong; it's time to end the CCP’s persecution of all Chinese people; it's time to end the most evil regime in the world. Let’s work together and be ready for a better world without the CCP.”