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SPEAK FOR FREEDOM: Congressman Gus Bilrakis (R-Fla.) speaks on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on July 22 where around 500 Falun Gong practitioners from around the world gathered in peaceful protest against the Chinese Communist Party's persecution. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)
“I feel a very strong sense of solidarity with you, and so do all the members throughout the world. I believe you people today are the true martyrs in this age, as you continue to persevere through one of the worst persecutions of the 21 century," said Dan Fefferman, Executive Director, Coalition for Religious Freedom. “We know the ideology of Marxist/Leninism is a materialistic ideology, an evil ideology, an ideology that does not believe in freedom, especially not spiritual freedom, freedom of speech and religion. You stand as a testimony to the strength of human spirit that will never be dominated by this communist ideology.”
Appreciation was also expressed by many for the work that some Falun Gong practitioners have done to defeat China’s Firewall. Clothilde Le Coz, Washington Director of Reporters Without Borders, said, “The Falun Gong's struggle has given a gift worldwide: circumvention software for internet users. Tired of being censored and harassed, the Falun Gong petitioners created one famous tool that is used all around the world. Thank you.”
Perhaps no one could surpass an expression of solidarity with Falun Gong’s persecution than Presbyterian minister Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition. He and his family were arrested for peacefully praying in front of the White House a few years ago to call attention to the lack of U.S. Government effort to pressure the Chinese to end the persecution. Rev. Mahoney waved his passport before the practitioners and said it shows that he was expelled from the Peoples' Republic of China. He had been arrested and deported for demanding on Tiananmen Square for Chinese people to be able to freely practice their faith.
“This passport is a badge of honor I wear proudly,” said Rev. Mahoney.
Obama administration not doing enough
Smith cited the numbers of Falun Gong killed and asked why the United Nations and the United States remains silent of this “holocaust”? He said that the use of torture against Falun Gong practitioners is perhaps the worst anywhere in china.
“We call on the Obama administration to do more to raise its voice very clearly on behalf of Falun Gong.”
SUPPORT OF PRACTITIONERS: Falun Gong practitioners from around the world, U.S. Congress members, NGOs, and others speak out against the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of practitioners on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on July 22. (Mark Zou/The Epoch Times)
Smith noted that China is on the State Department’s list of a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its human rights violations. He asked rhetorically, why aren’t the sanctions imposed on China, as is proscribed by the law?
“Even though Congress has spoken out nearly unanimously against [the persecution of Falun Gong], the Obama Administration, as previous administrations, has failed to press the government of China seriously enough to motivate theme to change their policy of attempting to destroy Falun Gong,” said Efferman.
Rep. Ros-Lehtenin repeated her wish that is contained in the House Resolution 605, which she authored. “I call upon President Obama and leaders of other free, democratic nations, to meet with Falun Gong practitioners whenever and wherever possible to emphasize our unequivocal support for freedom of conscience as a fundamental principle of the United States Government and any democracy.”
Reps. Edolphus ‘Ed’ Towns (D-NY) and Eliot Engle (D-NY) sent statements which were read at the rally.
