Greetings everyone. We're gathered here today in Trenton, NJ, in front of the New Jersey State House, to pay homage to those who partook in the historic 250 mile "SOS: Rescue Falun Gong Practitioners Persecuted in China" walk. On July 3rd, these courageous individuals began a journey that would span a distance of 250 miles, starting from New Jersey, and consummating at out our nations capital, in Washington, DC.
This journey would serve to symbolize their commitment to call for the urgent rescue of Falun Gong practitioners who are victimized in China. Today, in the People's Republic of China, millions of ordinary people who practice Falun Gong are being unlawfully persecuted under inhumane measures. Many human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have reported that these practitioners are being illegally jailed, beaten, tortured, raped, and even killed. All this for simply doing a traditional spiritual practice that includes exercise and meditation.
This extraordinary journey marked the 2nd anniversary of a darkest date in history -- the crackdown on Falun Gong, July 20, 1999.
Since the date of the crackdown, we have been witness to numerous atrocities committed by the People's Republic of China against its own citizens. Literally overnight, tens of millions of people were suddenly cast as enemies of the State and then stalked. In the following two years we have seen tens of thousands thrown into labor camps without trials, thousands forcefully committed to mental hospitals, and many thousands more being unlawfully detained in jails and prisons. In each setting the conditions and treatment are abysmal. To date, more than 260 have been killed already in this violent campaign of suppression. What is most alarming is that this persecution, ordered by China's own president, Jiang Zemin, only continues to intensify in its severity.
Currently, some 130 practitioners of Falun Gong are on a hunger strike while being illegally held in the Masanjia Labor Camp of Liaoning Province, China, according to a security officer familiar with the camp's affairs. The strike has already passed the 10-day mark. The protest followed the failure of camp authorities to release the Falun Gong practitioners at the end of their terms.
The Masanjia camp is notorious for its extreme, violent measures employed to "re-educate" Falun Gong practitioners. Last October it was reported that camp officers stripped naked 18 female Falun Gong practitioners and threw them into the cells of male convicts; the abuse they suffered was terrifying.
Meanwhile, more than 70 practitioners detained in the Changlinzi labor camp in Harbin City started hunger strikes on July 2 to protest arbitrary extension of detention. They were brutally force-fed many times; some were severely injured by force-feeding. The deputy head of the labor camp, Shi Changjing, threatened that five days of extension will be added for each hunger strike day. At this time, eleven practitioners are still on hunger strikes. In late May, practitioner Kong Deyi, who participated in another group hunger strike, died from severe injuries after force feeding in the Changlinzi labor camp. In July, over ten male practitioners of Falun Gong were beaten to death at this labor camp.
In addition to these 210 brave souls, in China, right now as we speak, there are two from our own New Jersey family and extended family being incarcerated in similar prisons. They are Mr.Gang Chen and Dr. Teng Chunyan.
To our credit, many New Jerseyans have joined efforts to rescue practitioners from the unjust persecution in China. As was reported in the Home News Tribune, at the urging of local residents from Edison, the Township Council approved a resolution expressing its condemnation towards the acts of violence against those who practice Falun Gong in its sister-city Shijiazhuang, China, the capital of Hebei Province. The resolution 461 was passed unanimously by the council of Edison. The significance of the event was summed up in the words of councilwoman Antonia Ricigliano, "We are all different, but we are all equal. We all deserve to be protected. We have to protect each other. We don't have to wait for government to do it. We are responsible, we are truly our brothers keeper and our sisters keeper."
We must continue to carry on with these great efforts. We must continue to pass more resolutions condemning the atrocities taking place in China, within more sister cities. More importantly we must bring to the attention of all government officials within New Jersey and outside of New Jersey alike, that we will not tolerate the illicit proposals put forth by Chinese government officials working in the United States, against the Falun Gong practitioners in China. If they cannot respect human rights and cannot respect a person's right to faith, then their credibility should neither be respected by the citizens of the United States of America. We urge our government to protect the cleanness of our land by banning these terrors of humanity from our borders: This includes Chinese president Jiang Zemin, and those who are directly responsible for the murder and torture of many innocent human beings.
To conclude, undoubtedly, millions of people who practice Falun Gong in China need our help, more now than ever. We have the power to make a difference. Living in a free society, we are afforded every avenue to make such efforts. It is up to us. Let us not procrastinate when striving forward. Time is precious, but together we can make an impact. We, New Jerseyans, together, will have the power to bring Gang Chen and Dr. Teng back home safely.
The practitioners in China have walked hundreds of miles to their nation's capitol, braving enormous, imminent risks. The New Jersey walkers who made the 250-mile journey here commemorated their brethren's tireless efforts and likewise proved, that with courage and devotion, there is no obstacle too large to overcome on the way to positive change!
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Thank you!
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Agenda
- Ceci Martin, a New Jersey Falun Gong practitioner, made the opening remark.
- Erin Elliott, a 19 years old college student, told her story of the historic walk and shared with us the support she has received by fellow Americans.
- Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, delivered a speech, and presented a joint legislative resolution (by him, Senator Turner, Assemblywoman Watson Coleman) to Cao, Jian (a walker) and to Tan, Yongjie (a hero who escaped from Falun Gong persecution)
- Ms. Carroll, staff member of Congressman Chris Smith, delivered a speech.
- Brian Donahue, deputy chief of staff of Congressman Michael Ferguson, delivered a speech, and presented a proclamation to five walkers Jane Chen, Diana Cheng, Erin Elliott, Cao Jian and Michele Xie
- Li Li, a practitioner, read a congratulatory letter to Jane Chen from Donald J. Ruschman, Mayor of Borough of Park Ridge and a citation (to all five walkers) from US Senator Jon S. Corzine
- Amy Lee, a survivor of Falun Gong persecution, called for urgent rescue for practitioners in China who may suffer even worst persecution than her.
- Chen, Ying and Chen, Ninfang (residents of Cherry Hill) called for help for Chen, Gang (Ying's brother and Ninfang's son).
- Lorraine Kabacinski, an adjunct professor at the New York College for Holistic Health Education and Research, called for release of Dr. Teng Chunyan
- Alan Adler, executive director of Friends of Falun Gong, called for release of Dr. Teng Chunyan.
Category: Voices of Support Worldwide
