Hundreds Rally in Front of US State Department in Support of Freeing Dr. Charles Li
20,000 Signatures Delivered to U.S. State Department Representative
(3/11/2003  4:32)


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WASHINGTON DC (FDI) -- From noon to 2PM on March 7, 2003, several hundred Falun Gong practitioners from different states gathered in Washington DC and held a rally in front of the State Department. They appealed to the US State Department to send a request to the Chinese government to immediately release Dr. Charles Li, an American citizen and Falun Gong practitioner who is being illegally detained (news).

Dr. Li has studied and lived in the USA for many years. At the end of January, while visiting his family in China, he was detained but not charged after stepping off the plane. As of this news date, it has been 48 days since he was arrested.

The rally was organized by over 20 NGOs and independent organizations, and 16 government officials and representatives of different NGOs made speeches. The speakers included Mr. Mark Palmer, Vice Chairman of Freedom House, Mr. William Saunders, Human Rights Counsel of the Family Research Council, Legislative Assistant of Congressman Tom Lantos, Ms. Faith McDonnell, Director of Religious Liberty Program of The Institute on Religion and Democracy, and Mr. Morton Sklar, Executive Director of World Organization Against Torture USA. Several senators sent letters to show their support. Mr. Charles Li's fiance', Ms. Foo said tearfully that Charles has been detained for 42 days and she worries about his safety every minute.

At about 1:30PM, Mr. Scott Carpenter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Ms. Susan O'Sullivan, Senior Advisor on Asia came to the rally. Ms. Foo and Charles' friends delivered an appeal letter and over 20,000 signatures to Mr. Carpenter.

Falun Gong practitioners and supporters in attendance came from Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, California and the Midwest.

The rally was concluded with the song, "Free Charles".


Photo Highlights

Several hundred Falun Gong practitioners and supporters gathered in Washington DC to appeal to the US State Department to assist in the release Dr. Charles Li. Charles is an American citizen and Falun Gong practitioner who has been illegally detained in China for over 45 days (news).

Hundreds of rally attendees held signs and banners in front of the US State Department building, calling for the release of Charles Li from illegal detention in China.

Former Ambassador Mark Palmer gives a speech calling for support from the US State Department in securing the release of Dr. Charles Li from illegal detention in China. A television crew interviews Ms. Yeong-ching Foo the fiancee of Charles Li. Ms. Foo has been working day and night to get Charles home, and is concerned for his safety.

Mr. Scott Carpenter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, accepts an appeal letter and over 20,000 signatures in support of Charles' release. Falun Gong supporters and practitioners held a candlelight vigil at the Washington Monument later the same evening. Supporters sing "Free Charles" and "Freedom," songs composed in support of the effort.

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NEWS - Mar. 11, 2003
Falun Dafa Information Center, www.faluninfo.net


Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.

The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 605 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps, typically without trial.


(3/11/2003  4:32)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER
Contacts: Gail Rachlin (+1 917-757-9780), Levi Browde (+1 646-415-0998), Erping Zhang (+1 646-533-6147), or Christina Chai (+1 917-386-5068).
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