Falun Gong Practitioners to Mark a Year of Repression and Appeal

(US Newswire, July 17, 2000)

A year ago, on July 20, Chinese government imposed a ban and crackdown on spiritual practitioners of Falun Gong, a practice adopted by tens of millions of people worldwide.

Despite tens of thousands of arrests, illegal detentions, torture and even the deaths of 24 people, peaceful appeal continues in China with the support of human rights organizations and political leaders of conscience.

To mark the anniversary, American practitioners will hold a press briefing and premiere a new video "Falun Gong: The Real Story (Part 2)," and will include a press briefing with Falun Gong spokespersons and Mark Palmer, Vice Chairman of the Board of Freedom House, and Rabbi David Saperstein, Chairman of U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

On the same day, several hundred Falun Gong practitioners will gather in front of the Chinese Embassy to deliver a letter calling for a peaceful dialogue to end brutal persecution. Candlelight vigil ceremonies will be held to commemorate those who were tortured to death for refusing to renounce their spiritual beliefs.