(Minghui.org) The New Castle County Council in Delaware passed a resolution on August 26, thanking Falun Gong practitioners for their contributions to the community. It also condemned the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including its transnational repression.

New Castle County Council members, including President Monique Williams-Johns (6th R), Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick (5th R), Councilman David Tackett (3rd R), Brandon Toole (2nd R), and Penrose Hollins (1st R), celebrate with Falun Gong practitioners after passing Resolution No. 25-151, supporting their right to religious freedom, on August 26.

The New Castle County Council voted on R25-151 and other resolutions on August 26.

Titled, “Supporting Falun Gong and Its Pursuit of Exercising Freedom of Religion,” the resolution was initiated by Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick and President Monique Williams-Johns. Through the resolution the County Council acknowledges that Falun Gong practitioners deserve the same First Amendment protections as American citizens in practicing their beliefs.

Resolution No. 25-151 was adopted by the New Castle County Council

“Falun Gong brings traditional Chinese cultural values to many Delawareans, as well as to more than 100 million people in over 100 countries from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds,” wrote the resolution.

Councilman Penrose Hollins praised Falun Gong, and said that local practitioners “bring festivals and events to many Delawareans,” and form “a very important piece” of the community because the practice is “very inclusive.”

The resolution references other key government actions, such as the U.S. House of Representatives’ 2004 Concurrent Resolution 304, which condemns harassment against practitioners in the United States; the 2016 H.R. 343, which calls for an end to crimes committed against Falun Gong practitioners in China; and the 2025 passage of H.R. 1540, known as the Falun Gong Protection Act. It also mentions that in 2024, the European Parliament “recognized” the ongoing persecution of the practice.

Transnational Repression

Several council members expressed concern over the CCP’s transnational repression – efforts to extend persecution abroad through harassment, threats, and misinformation campaigns which targets diaspora communities.

Kilpatrick, reflecting on her interactions with local Falun Gong practitioners, said she understands “the persecution that’s going on” and has heard stories that are hard for her to “understand how that even happens.”

Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick

Kilpatrick said she hopes the resolution sends a message to the CCP that “it’s only fair to everybody to have it” and that “everybody gets to believe what they want to believe.”

Councilman David Tackett also voiced concerns about the CCP’s transnational repression. “When we get word that anything like this is going on, obviously it has to bother us, and we [have] got to do what we can do,” he said.

Councilman David Tackett

Tackett said that the resolution is a “small little piece” to show support and acknowledge the difficulties that practitioners face due to persecution.

By drawing parallels to historical injustices, President Williams-Johns emphasized the importance of freedom of religion.

President Monique Williams-Johns

“We’re not that far from slavery. And you know, my forefathers were in slavery and were enslaved. So I think just having the freedom to be who you would like to be ... is important.”

Speaking of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners in China Williams-Johns said, “I’m just praying for them ... I hope this resolution helps ... to give them the strength to continue.”

Councilman Hollins initially hesitated to support the resolution due to concerns raised by a colleague. However, after receiving further clarification, he ultimately supported the resolution, saying the persecution of Falun Gong is a human rights issue akin to apartheid in South Africa, which he said he fought against early in his career.

Councilman Penrose Hollins

“It’s a human rights issue, simple as that,” he said, adding that the resolution sends a message to the CCP that the New Castle County government supports Falun Gong practitioners’ dignity and rights.

‘We Want to Champion Your Cause’

Local Falun Gong practitioner Cindy Liu, a longtime resident of Delaware and a veteran technologist in the high-tech industry, said she was pleased the resolution passed. During the earlier county council debates in July, she noticed influence from “a misinformation campaign” by certain media outlets in the United States.

“I’m just so happy that the council is able to carry this legacy of supporting fellow practitioners and condemning [the] persecution,” she explained, adding that the move upholds practitioners’ “constitutional rights for [freedom of] belief.”

For practitioners still facing persecution in China, council members offered words of encouragement. Kilpatrick urged them to “stay strong” and be courageous, while Tackett advised them to “keep the faith ... and keep moving forward.”

The resolution underscores the council’s commitment to addressing global human rights at the local level.

“That’s what we do ... we represent everybody, and you’re here, and you’re voters or constituents, and we represent you, and we want to champion your cause,” Tackett said.