A Peaceful Appeal in front of Chinese UN Mission and the United Nations

It was sunny in the morning of September 6, 2000. Near 2,000 Falun Gong practitioners from 30 countries and over 30 states of the United States gathered for a peaceful appeal on the sports ground across the street from the office of Chinese Mission to the United Nations in midtown, New York City. They introduced Falun Gong to governments of all countries and all kind-hearted people, and presented the truth about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China.

In the sky, there were colorful balloons with the words of "Falun Dafa" in both Chinese and English. On the walls around the park, a variety of banners were displayed. They read, "Fa Rectifies Human World", "Return the Innocence to Falun Gong", "Killers Must Be Punished", "Stop the Persecution and Start A Peaceful Dialogue", and "Respect Human Rights and Freedom of Beliefs", etc. There were also various kinds of materials to help spread the truth of Falun Dafa and the brutal persecution by the Chinese government. Two thousand Falun Dafa practitioners wearing yellow T-shirts appeared shining under the sun. All the practitioners performed the Falun Dafa exercises in a good order following the exercise music. The warm and peaceful scene attracted curious and friendly eyes of people passing by.

At 10:00AM, Falun Gong Press Conference began. A spokesperson of Falun Gong read the "Peaceful Appeal Statement". She said, "As the leaders from all countries gather in the United Nations, we call on Chinese President Jiang Zemin to 1) have a genuine and peaceful dialogue with Falun Gong practitioners; 2) stop the persecution and the ban on Falun Gong immediately, and 3) immediately release all detained and jailed Falun Gong practitioners in China." She briefly described the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and stated that Falun Gong practitioners practice based on the principle of "Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance", and Falun Gong is peaceful and non-political. She expressed her gratitude to governments of many countries and international organizations for their support. She called on people and leaders of all countries throughout the world to help stop the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese government. Some Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted when they returned to China from abroad or had family members persecuted in China described their own personal experiences in the press conference.

Western media including Associated Press, Reuters, Voice of America, CBS, and Foxnews, Chinese news media including World Journal, Duowei News, Xingdao Daily, and over ten other news media from Japan and Taiwan came and made on-the-spot coverage of the press conference.

Parade started after the press conference. Practitioners in the front of the parade carried a wreath made of white flowers and green cypress. The names of 50 practitioners who were persecuted to death by the Chinese government were displayed on the wreath. Two hundred female practitioners dressed in white held white lotus flowers, white roses, or the photos of those practitioners who died due to the persecution. The parade started out west from the sports ground in front of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations on 36th street, and turned north and marched along the Third Avenue, then turned east on 47th street to the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in front of the United Nations. The practitioners in yellow T-shirts held banners "Falun Dafa is Good", "Truthfulness, Benevolence, Forbearance", "Stop Persecuting Falun Gong", etc. The entire parade was over one mile long, and it appeared spectacular and yet peaceful. People who saw the parade could all feel the amazing power of Falun Gong and its great benevolence. While watching this unusual parade, many people asked for Falun Dafa materials from the practitioners who were distributing them on the way, and expressed their sympathy for and concern about Falun Gong being mistreated in China. A kid asked her mother what was happening. His mother told him, "These people were persecuted to death just because they want to practice Falun Gong. It is really terrible." After seeing the parade, a lady made inquiry to a policewoman and the policewoman told her, "Because the Chinese government do not allow Falun Gong practitioners to practice their peaceful exercises and even persecuted many Falun Gong practitioners to death. Now these people are having a peaceful appeal." The parade lasted for over one hour. Half of the New York City were therefore talking about Falun Gong.

Around 1:30PM, Falun Gong practitioners started their activities in front of the United Nations. They stood in the park and on side streets, and demonstrated Falun Gong exercises peacefully and harmoniously. On the other side, there were other groups protesting the government of other countries. However, the deafening sound of shouting slogans, gongs and drums from the other groups did not attract the attention of reporters. Some reporters came across the fences to interview Falun Gong practitioners. The wreath made with white flowers and green cypress, the female practitioners in white clothes, the parade of practitioners with yellow T-shirts, and the dignified and peaceful Dafa music showed the power of benevolence, telling people that Falun Dafa is Good!

At 6:30PM, the appeal ended in a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

September 6, 2000