Local Falun Gong practitioners are planning to go to Chicago and Houston to protest the president of China's visit and they're asking for Columbia's support.

Friday on the University of Missouri campus, Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated their meditation techniques. Those passing by were handed pamphlets, and asked to sign their banner to show their support.

Thousands of Falun Gong [practitioners] have been persecuted and beaten for their beliefs under China's president Jiang Zemin's rule.

"We really hope the persecution will end as soon as possible and China will obey the international human rights laws and their own constitution as well, and allow people the freedom of belief," Sara Effner, a Falun Gong practitioner, said

The banner will be on display at the demonstrations in Chicago on Oct. 22, and in Houston on Oct. 23.

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Falun Dafa

Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) is a form of qigong, the practice of refining the body and mind through special exercises and meditation. It originated in prehistoric China.

Since being introduced to the general public in China in 1992 by Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa has attracted tens of millions of people in over 40 countries. Falun Dafa transcends cultural, social, economic and national boundaries. The practice has spread largely by word of mouth.

Falun Dafa distinguishes itself from other qigong practices by emphasizing not only physical cultivation, but also cultivation of one's moral character in daily life according to higher principles taught by Mr. Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa's founder.

The practice of Falun Dafa consists primarily of two components: self-improvement through studying Li's teachings, and performing five gentle exercises. At the heart of the practice are the supreme principles of the universe: truthfulness, benevolence and tolerance.

Source: http://falundafa.org/

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