I. Falun Gong News Release
At 4:00 p.m. on July 20, 2000, Falun Gong practitioners held a news release at Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. to commemorate the first anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government. The first half an hour of the news release, a video titled Falun Gong: The Real Story II was shown to the guests, which reviewed the Chinese governments ruthless suppression of tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners and the gradual understanding and support of the international communities for our practitioners. Thereafter, Falun Gong spokeswoman gave a news statement, which again appealed for a peaceful dialogue with the Chinese government, and called for all kind-hearted people worldwide to extend their support to the practitioners and to help to resolve the current crisis in China.
Three distinguished guests gave their speeches in the news release. Mr. Mark Palmer, vice-Chairman of Freedom House, the oldest American human rights organization, stated in his speech, Falun Gong was the most powerful spiritual movement in Asia that can not be ignored.
Mr. Rabbi David Saperstein, chair of US Commission on International Religious Freedom, stated, Just like many times in history, peoples spiritual beliefs were treated as mental illnesses. What the Chinese government is doing to Falun Gong will greatly weaken its own regime.
Mr. T. Kumar, Asia-Pacific Advocacy Director, Amnesty International, said that based on our reliable sources, people in China would be arrested and beaten up if they practise Falun Gong. He also mentioned that he would continue to show his concern and support to Falun Gong practitioners.
The news release ended around 5:00pm.
II. Highlights of the Taiwan practitioners
In the morning of July 20, 2000, Qingxi Zhang, former dean of Department of Economics at Taiwan University and chairman of Taiwan Falun Gong Association, Jihong Hong, secretary general of the association, and about a dozen of Falun Gong practitioners, visited Taipei Economic and Cultural Representatives Office in Washington D.C. They gave a large quantity of Falun Dafa materials to the people there, and told them the current situation of Falun Gong in Taiwan. The number of practitioners in Taiwan has increased to tens of thousands, which is about ten times of the number a year ago. Up to date, there are about 320 exercise sites all over Taiwan, and about fifteen 9-day seminars in progress every day all year round, which have a large number of participants. The unique features of the practitioners in Taiwan are young, enthusiastic and well educated. They have adapted various approaches to promote Dafa and have obtained very good results.
One practitioner who is a professor in a university said, Falun Gong is much more effective in preserving and promoting Chinese traditions and cultures than any other types of education offered by educational institutions or doctrines of any political parties. It greatly elevates human morality and purifies peoples mind. There are currently over 100 million people practising Falun Gong, which means that one twelfth of the Chinese are becoming good people. They will become the pillar of the society. Moreover, each practitioner has a family, children, relatives and friends. In other words, at least one third of the Chinese people are influenced by Falun Gong, which cannot be ignored by any authorities and political parties. This is not only a big issue in China, but also a big issue in the world, which includes all intellectuals around the world.
The visit lasted about two hours, and both parties enjoyed the meeting. It was a successful visit.
III. Introducing Dafa to US Senators
In the morning of July 20, 2000, over 30 Falun Dafa practitioners from California met with California Senator Dianne Feinstein. Senator Feinstein told the practitioners that she was very fond of China and had many personal contacts with some senior Chinese leaders. When three California practitioners were detained unwarrantedly by Chinese police in Shenzhen last year, Senator Feinstein personally intervened, and lodged a protest against the Chinese government and, as a result, had the three practitioners released two days earlier.
The California practitioners expressed their sincere appreciation to the help that Senator Feinstein had given to the practitioners, and described the difficult situation of Falun Gong practitioners in China. One of the practitioners said, "According to some overseas media reports, tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners in China were arrested, beaten up, expelled from their jobs, fined, sent to forced labour camp, sentenced to prison, or taken into custody. At least 24 practitioners were brutally tortured to death. We hope that Senator Feinstein will continue to give us your kind help." The Senator said, Chinese governments suppression on Falun Gong is unreasonable and is absolutely wrong. She also believed that a continuous interaction with the Chinese government and a strengthening of commercial trading could help to lead the Chinese social system toward democracy and legality.
Later on, an assistant staff of the Senator had a meeting with the practitioners. The staff told the practitioners that they were quite aware of the conduct of the Chinese government, and were deeply concerned about the Falun Gong practitioners in China. He also expressed willingness of offering help in some specific issues. The practitioners told him the story of Ms. Zhao Xin, a lecturer at Beijing University of Industry and Commerce. Because she insisted on practicing Falun Gong, she was beaten up by police so badly that her neck vertebrae was fractured. They hope that the Senator could take some immediate actions to help stop the brutal suppression of the Chinese government on Falun Dafa practitioners and help establish a direct dialogue with Chinese government.
The meeting lasted for more than half an hour, and ended in a pleasant atmosphere.
Reported on July 21, 2000
Category: April 25 Events
