A group of children and young adults from 14 countries started and have persevered on a quest to rescue orphans from China. They are cycling across America. They call their mission Ride2Freedom, and so far they have faced heat, rain, cold, wind, storms, and mountains. They have also inspired warmth, joy, and support from people along the way.
My colleague Cat Rooney spent time with them in Kansas. She told me that when they were in groups, they always noticed and included everyone. They were unfailingly kind, according to Cat. She said if they were going to create the society of the future, she was eager to see it.
I wondered what kind of experiences shaped the Ride2Freedom riders. They are devoting this summer to do a challenging feat. They all practice Falun Gong, I understand, and they intend to rescue other young people who were orphaned by the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Falun Gong is a spiritual practice of exercises and meditation, and follows the principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance. It has been brutally suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party since July 20, 1999. That’s longer than some of the riders have been alive.
Olivia Zhang is 15 years old, and she was born in China. She said she started practicing Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, when she “was really little.”
