(Clearwisdom.net) On the afternoon of March 16, 2002, the Amnesty International (AI) chapter from the Washington DC International School gathered at Du Pont Park and appealed for an immediate end of the persecution against Falun Gong in China. This was the second time that this group has gathered to clarify the truth about the persecution to the American public. Their aim is to stop the murder and torture and to restore people's freedom of beliefs.
More than a dozen students demonstrated with a large map and flag of China that they had made. On the map and the flag they wrote names of more than three hundred practitioners who were tortured to death. The students handed out "SOS" letters written by AI, which called for immediate actions to prevent the torture of Changchun City practitioners who were recently detained.
Many weekend visitors had a chance to learn about the experience of a Falun Gong practitioner who spent a year in China's forced labor camp because she appealed to the government on behalf of Falun Gong. Two western practitioners also told people about how they were mistreated in China simply because they voiced their opinion against the persecution.
Ken, a 17-year-old student and an organizer of this event, told the press, "I believe that no one should be persecuted for spiritual pursuit and self-cultivation in any country." Ann, another organizer of this event, said, "After September 11, people seem to have ignored other people's suffering and injustice elsewhere. Falun Gong is one such case. I first heard of Falun Gong five years ago. Last year I saw Falun Gong on AI's website and I did some detailed study into it. I believe that we are doing the right thing. Many people in this country have not yet heard about Falun Gong."
Ms. Li, a Falun Gong practitioner who was invited to the event, summarized her feelings, "I am really touched. They felt from their hearts that the persecution is wrong and decided to call for more public awareness and support. Their outcry and demonstration of the Chinese police brutality in Tianannmen Square are very sincere. I am deeply moved."