(Clearwisdom.net) On May 14, 2004, twelve young American Falun Gong practitioners embarked from the nation's capital to launch The Pedals of Peace bike ride. The ride, was designed to bring public awareness to the plight of the numerous children and teens in China who practice Falun Gong and are being persecuted because of their spiritual beliefs. A press conference was held in Cleveland, Ohio on May 18^th, which was one of their planned stops along the way.

In support of these young people riding 700 miles to urge the end of the persecution against children in China who practice Falun Gong, the mayor of Cleveland sent a proclamation to recognize the riders' selflessness. A number of local newspapers and TV stations attended the May 18^th press conference held at noon.

The riders told reporters that, many children are suffering in China because of the persecution against Falun Gong. Some children have no parent or guardian to take care of them because their parents were killed or sent to forced slave labor camps for practicing Falun Gong. Some young people have been arrested, beaten or even dismissed from school.

A young Falun Gong practitioner named, Fadu, inspired the Pedals of Peace ride after losing her father who was killed by Chinese authorities for his belief. In 1999, the Chinese government violated their own constitution and outlawed the practice and began a campaign of persecution that continues to this day. Now 3-year-old, Fadu travels the world with her mother telling people about their loss in hopes to bring the perpetrators to justice and to bring awareness to the plight of numerous others whose family members are being persecuted for their belief in Falun Gong.

It was reported that the Pedals of Peace riders will arrive in Chicago on May 21^st.