Local officials are publicly taking a stand against the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in Edison's sister city in China.

At the urging of local Falun Gong practitioners from Edison, the Township Council Wednesday night approved a resolution expressing its disagreement with the acts of violence against those who practice the ancient exercise in sister-city Shijiazhuang, China, the capital of Hebei Province.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, has no political or religious affiliation. All those who practice do so voluntarily, and classes are taught throughout the world at no cost. Donations and money also are not accepted for this form of traditional Chinese qigong (pronounced "chee-gung"), which means "energy exercise," similar to tai chi. The slow-movement exercises are believed to draw energy to the body and to maintain health. The council intends to send a copy of its resolution to Shijiazhuang officials and the state, which is what local Falun Gong practitioners, who attended the council's Wednesday meeting, had requested.

"We expect people to use all channels they can to help," said Gregory Xu, an Edison resident and Falun Gong follower.

The Chinese government has outlawed the practice and denounced its members as [Jiang Zemin government's slanderous term omitted]. Thousands in China have been arrested, some beaten, and there are reports of followers of the practice being killed.

"Hopefully, this will send a message to our sister city in China to please stop treating these human beings in this manner," said Councilman Charles Tomaro.

Although Edison, for now, does not intend to break its sister-city relationship with Shijiazhuang, Councilman William Stephens said he hopes using diplomacy first will help.

"I think it (the resolution) sends out a strong voice," said Jane Jia of Edison, also a Falun Gong follower. "There is a righteous voice saying these barbarians and barbarian acts cannot go on."

The Edison Falun Gong members also have contacted local and state legislators, who they said have given them support. "We can't ignore. We can't become complacent because atrocities will snowball," said Councilwoman Joan Kapitan.