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Dancers perform in traditional Tang Dynasty costume
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"Friends of Falun Gong USA wanted to thank our fellow human rights organizations and friends on Capitol Hill for their unwavering support of our efforts to end the persecution of Falun Gong," explained Alan Adler, FoFG USA's Executive Director. "Tonight, as we celebrate China's rich heritage, we hope that all people will be free to enjoy their native culture and spiritual pursuits as they wish, without fear of reprisal. As we approach the date marking three years since the ban on Falun Gong, July 20th, we'll continue to work closely with our supporters from all walks of life, to make freedom of conscience a reality."
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Rep Ben Gilman, being interviewed
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Rep. Jim Moran, with supporter
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Rep. Donald Payne, with attendees
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Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-20th, NY), a powerful, longtime supporter of human rights for
Falun Gong practitioners in China and many other groups, invited some of his colleagues to the
event. Those in attendance were Congresspersons Donald Payne (D-10th, NJ), Connie Morella (R-8th,
MD), Wayne Gilcrest (R-1st, MD), Roscoe Bartlett (R-6th, MD), and James Moran (D-8th, VA).
Supporters from NGOs included human rights activist Harry Wu, Executive Director of The Laogai
Research Foundation, who stopped by with his wife and baby. Mr Wu recently returned from an
attempt to visit Hong Kong, having been denied entry by local authorities.
Gregory Fossedal, Executive Director, and Ken Brown, of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,
recalled last year's rally at the capitol in support of Falun Gong, at which Ken Brown encouraged
the Chinese government to use the opportunities afforded by the WTO and UN to prove it can work
with all people.
Also joining the festivities were Tiffany Heath, Legislative Director of Church Women United;
Morton Sklar, Executive Director, World Organization Against Torture USA; Shari Doi, staff
from National Organization for Women (NOW); members of the Lawyers Committee For Human
Rights, and Jeffrey Elting, MD, MS, MPH, Colonel, Medical Corps, US Army, Office of the
Surgeon General.
The attendees admired art by renowned Chinese painter Zhang Cuiying, herself a victim of the
oppression of Falun Gong, and dance performances by women in traditional Tang Dynasty dress who
flowed gracefully around the room. They also demonstrated the standing Falun Gong exercises, a
series of gentle, yet powerful movements. "They're being persecuted for this?" one
of the guests was heard to ask.
The congenial atmosphere, excellent food and cultural celebration contributed to a successful,
well-attended and fun event, the first purely social event Friends of Falun Gong USA has hosted.
"I'm looking forward to the next one" one guest remarked, "celebrating the end of the
persecution."
( From http://www.fofg.org/fofg/campaigns/asian_heritage_dc.html )
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