September 12, 2006
(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners from Michigan and Windsor are bringing attention to the practice of organ harvesting in the People's Republic of China.
During a six-city tour of Michigan, the group stopped Tuesday at Monument Park in downtown Battle Creek.
A statue of Sojourner Truth, who was a civil rights activist and resident of Battle Creek, stood over the group of about 10 people who were holding banners proclaiming Falun Gong's core principals of truth, compassion and tolerance.
Falun Gong is a meditation practice similar to Tai Chi or yoga and has a spiritual component.
Based on ancient principals, Falun Gong began as a modern practice in China in 1992. The Chinese Communist Party banned its practice in 1999 at a time when an estimated 100 million people were following it in China. It is now worldwide.
Mark Cnudde, 52, has been practicing for about four or five years. He was shocked when he heard there were hospitals in China where organ harvesting has become a systematic practice.
"Unless those in the free world raise their voices against the horror, countless men, women and children will be slaughtered by a medical establishment gone mad in China," he said.
"The more people know, hopefully the quicker this will be over," he said.
Falun Gong practitioners report that almost 3,000 followers have died in Chinese prison camps and around 6,000 people have been killed for their organs.
On Oct. 4, 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for the government of China to stop harassment and detention of Falun Gong practitioners.
Song Zhang, 68, is from Hu Bei Province in China. He spoke about the illegal telephone tapping, interrogation and 10 months he spent in a detention center for practicing Falun Gong.
He now lives in Madison Heights and speaks out against the Chinese Communist Party's oppression and organ harvesting.
"I think every citizen, no matter where you are, should stand up to this," said Dongdong Zhang, who has practiced Falun Gong for 12 years.
A letter dated Sept. 6 from state Sen. Mike Goschka, R-Brant, was read in support of Falun Gong's opposition to organ harvesting.
Also, Mayor John Godfrey declared Sept. 17-24 "Falun Dafa Week."
"Sojourner Truth was also an advocate for human rights," said city Commissioner Deborah Owens. She presented the proclamation to the group on Godfrey's behalf.
Falun Gong workshops are to be scheduled in Battle Creek in the future.
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Category: Organ Harvesting
