(Clearwisdom.net) To protest the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) escalation of the persecution of Falun Gong under the excuse of "preparation" for the Olympics, Falun Gong practitioners in Houston held a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate and stated that Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot coexist.

Falun Gong practitioners in Houston held a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate and protested the CCP's escalation of the persecution of Falun Gong under the excuse of "preparation" for the Olympics

From 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on March 21, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate and held banners worded, "Strongly protest the CCP's arrest of Falun Gong practitioners under the excuse of 'preparation' for the Olympics," "Demand that the CCP stop the persecution of Falun Gong," and, "Stop the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong." Practitioners also displayed posters exposing the persecution. The rally was held during consulate business hours. People coming for visas, including Chinese people, paid attention to the practitioners' protest. The practitioners distributed Falun Gong truth-clarification literature and copies of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party.

At the same time as the Falun Gong practitioners' protest, another group of people also came to protest the CCP and held banners worded, "Freedom of Expression, or No Olympics," and, "Stop Oppression." One of them indicated that they know something about the persecution occurring in China. The protest caught the attention of passersby and motorists passing by.

The "Olympic Spirit" is "mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." But the CCP continues its violent persecution under various excuses. The Chinese Communist government promised to improve human rights in China, yet it perpetuates its violent regime. It arrests people at will to prevent exposure of its atrocities. On February 19, 2008, the CCP's Political and Judicial Committee issued a secret order to initiate a new round of persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and those it perceives as dissidents.

Since the end of last year through March 11, 2008, more than 1,878 Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested in 29 provinces, cities or autonomous regions.