KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Ride2Freedom is a small group of teens, young adults and preteens who are biking across America. Their mission is to raise awareness about children who have been orphaned in China by a brutal policy of persecution and abuse that Chinese communist leaders have waged for 16 years.
Since July 20 1999, the meditative mind-body discipline known as Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, has been persecuted in China. It consists of simple, gentle exercises, meditation, and following the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Innocent people have been arrested, detained, tortured and killed. As a result, some children of arrested Falun Gong practitioners have suddenly found themselves alone.
When Ride2Freedom rolled into Missouri, officials and their staff warmly welcomed the young riders, and praised them for their dedication. In a letter, U.S Senator Roy Blunt thanked the group for bringing their message of freedom to the citizens of his state.
At a rally for the riders, Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo commended the teens’ valiant effort to speak up for orphans. “These children have no real voice of their own, but through this sacrifice of yours, may have a chance yet to be heard,” she said. Circo also represents Kansas City’s Fifth Council District At-Large.
