(Minghui.org) Four U.S. Congressmen, along with representatives from a dozen non-governmental organizations, expressed their support for Falun Gong's peaceful resistance at a rally on Capitol Hill on July 16, 2015. Falun Gong practitioners and supporters from across the country attended the rally.
The Chinese Communist Party launched the suppression of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. A few non-governmental organization representatives said that the 16-years of persecution was a failure, and Falun Gong practitioners have successfully exposed the facts of the persecution to the international community. Congressman Ted Poe from Texas said he believes that the major instigator of the persecution and former communist head, Jiang Zemin, should be brought to justice.
Falun Gong practitioners and supporters from across the country hold a rally in front of the U.S. Capitol on July 16, 2015.
Congressman Ted Poe from Texas: “It's about time to bring Jiang to justice.”
Congressman Ted Poe from Texas, who was a judge before he became a congress member, said in his speech regarding Falun Gong's resistance, “Every day, I would see cases, and the result of that case must always be justice. And all you are asking for is justice in your own country.”
Congressman Ted Poe from Texas speaks at the rally.
“To practice your belief you've been persecuted! Your friends and family have been put in jail. They've been beaten! They've been tortured! They have been hounded by the communist government of China.”
Pointing to several banners at the rally, which read “Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice,” echoing the recent flood of Falun Gong's lawsuits against Jiang, Congressman Poe said, “As the sign said right here I can read it, it's about time to bring Jiang to justice.”
“He needs to be the one in jail, not the Falun Gong. He's the one that should be tried for the crime against you, he's persecuting you so he needs to be brought to justice. Too bad I'm not the judge in this case, as the result will not be to his favor based on the things I have heard.”
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida: Introducing House Resolution 343 Expressing Concern for Organ Harvesting
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida recently introduced House Resolution 343, a resolution that expresses great concern for the systematic and state sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners, prisoners of conscience, in the People's Republic of China.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida speaks at the rally.
In her speech at the rally, she said, “Falun Gong practitioners, each and every one of you, you are peaceful, you are compassionate, you're tolerant. You are people who should be respected for your beliefs, instead of being mercilessly persecuted by the communist tyrants in Beijing.”
She said, “We can send a message to the communist regime in Beijing, that we are watching. That we know what they are doing, and that we condemn their behavior. We can send a message that we know communist China is spreading false information, through the state media, to slander Falun Gong practitioners. We know that Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured. They have been murdered with impunity by the communist regime.”
“That is why I am proud to introduce House Resolution 343,” she said.
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher from California: “You are reminding our country, what we stand for.”
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher from California thanked Falun Gong practitioners for “playing a very important role, because you are reminding our country, what we stand for.”
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher from California speaks at the rally.
He said, “I want to thank you for reminding us of our country's commitment, and getting the attention of members of Congress and the President. We should never have a discussion with representatives of the clique that now rules China, without bringing up the oppression of its people and especially the oppression of the Falun Gong.”
Congressman Rohrabacher said, “The President of the United States should not sit with a leader from China, without reminding him that we consider the oppression of you and fellow believers, because you are the ones who are the victims, but it is the United States that must stand with you.”
“That's what America is supposed to be about, that's what this flag, flying over our Capitol, is supposed to be about,” he said at the end.
Congressman Keith J. Rothfus from Pennsylvania: “History is on your side.”
Congressman Keith J. Rothfus from Pennsylvania encouraged people of conscience to keep fighting and keep standing. “History is on your side,” he said.
Congressman Keith J. Rothfus from Pennsylvania speaks at the rally.
He said, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see a rally like this in China to have the freedom to stand for one's faith across the country of China? No government should stress the freedom of exercise of religion, because so much change comes from people of faith, and people of conscience, and people of conscience change the world.”
Representatives from Non-governmental Organizations: Lawsuits Against Jiang Zemin are Encouraging.
Several speakers from non-governmental organizations addressed the recent flood of lawsuits being brought against Jiang Zemin for launching and directing the persecution of Falun Gong.
Suzanne Scholte, president of the Defense Forum Foundation, said, “It is very encouraging to see that over 60,000 Falun Gong practitioners and their family members have filed criminal complaints against Jiang Zemin, in less than two months.”
“The number is daunting, when we reflect of what it means,” she said, “These complaints cite unlawful imprisonment depriving citizens of their constitutional right to freedom of belief, abuse of power, and many other crimes.”
Suzanne Scholte, president of the Defense Forum Foundation, speaks at the rally.
Dan Fefferman, president of the International Coalition for Religious Freedom, said, “[The number of the lawsuits] shows that many individuals in China are courageous, standing up for justice, human rights, and religious freedom. I salute them for their courage, and I hope you will join me in giving them a round of applause!”
Dan Fefferman, president of the International Coalition for Religious Freedom, speaks at the rally.
Courtney Doucet, the Government Relations and Special Projects coordinator from the Jubilee Campaign USA, also expressed a similar opinion, “We must not give up on our endeavors to see justice brought to the leaders that have supported this persecution. We must support this courageous action of bringing the communist dictator to justice.”
Courtney Doucet from the Jubilee Campaign at the rally.
The Communist Party's Persecution Has Completely Failed
Falun Gong practitioners' 16-year long peaceful resistance encouraged many non-governmental representatives.
Daniel Calingaert, the executive vice president of Freedom House, said, “The Communist Party’s campaign to eradicate Falun Gong clearly has failed. We see more lawyers in the country taking up cases of Falun Gong practitioners. We see cases where villages sign petitions calling for the release of their neighbors. We have even seen cases where security personnel are refusing to arrest Falun Gong practitioners, because they understand how unjust this is.”
Daniel Calingaert from Freedom House believes that the persecution has completely failed.
Dr. T. Kumar from Amnesty International USA called upon President Obama to speak for Falun Gong. He said, “We are calling here to urge President Obama not to be silent and to speak up for the Falun Gong practitioners because they are non-violent and peaceful. We are also here to urge President Obama to demand the release of Falun Gong practitioners and condemn the killing of Falun Gong prisoners.”
Dr. Kumar encouraged practitioners, saying, “We are confident that your fight will win and you will be free to exercise freely in China.”
Dr. T. Kumar from Amnesty International USA
Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, praised practitioners for setting a great model for obtaining courage from their belief, and persistently exercising their belief while facing brutal suppression and torture.
Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom at the rally.
Margaux Ewen from Reporters Without Borders encouraged practitioners to keep up the spirit, and called for an end to the persecution.
Ms. Yi Rong from the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party told the audience that thus far more than 200 million Chinese people have recognized the evil nature of the Chinese Communist Party, and quit the Party and its associated organizations.
Faith McDonnell, director for Religious Liberty Programs at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, said she supports the 200 million Chinese who have withdrawn from the Party. She is also encouraged by the lawsuits against Jiang Zemin.
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Category: July 20 Events
