A rally was held in Philadelphia’s Chinatown on Aug. 31 to condemn the crime of forced organ harvesting in China.
The event, which attracted both local supporters and curious passersby, sought to raise awareness about the atrocities committed against practitioners of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline rooted in the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.
Call to Action Against a ‘Form of Genocide’
The rally was marked by impassioned speeches, heartfelt testimonials, and a clear message: The Chinese communist regime continues to systemically persecute Falun Gong practitioners.Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, which once flourished in the country, has been brutally repressed by the Chinese Communist Party since 1999, resulting in thousands of confirmed deaths due to torture and organ harvesting, according to Dr. Jessica Russo, a representative of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), who spoke at the rally.
Russo said she wanted to emphasize the gravity of the situation in her speech.
“This is such an important issue, and it’s not just important for the Chinese people; it’s important for people in the United States as well,” she said. “The Chinese Communist Party is murdering its own people for organs, and the United States is being complicit in this. This is a huge problem.”
“We’re hoping that this bill will be passed very soon and signed into law. This will help not only the Chinese people but will protect U.S. medical institutions and patients from being complicit in this crime.”
She also elaborated on the significance of the bill. “It’s going to have a reporting feature, so we’re going to understand exactly what’s going on in China when it comes to transplants.”
‘Targeted for Their Beliefs’
Christine Flowers, an immigration attorney and columnist, echoed Russo’s concerns. Flowers, who has spent nearly three decades advocating for human rights, drew parallels between the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other instances of state-sponsored oppression.“Falun Gong practitioners are peaceful individuals living their lives according to their faith,” she told the Epoch Times. “They are seen as a threat to the totalitarian regime in China, much like how other groups have been targeted for their beliefs and independence.”
Flowers discussed the broader implications of the persecution of Falun Gong. “This is an example of some of the most egregious persecution that is happening in the world. Falun Gong practitioners are peaceful individuals ... and to see that you could be killed simply for that is repellent.”
She also discussed the Falun Gong Protection Act, calling it “one of the most powerful civil rights and human rights pieces of legislation that has come out of our Congress in decades.”
Raising Awareness on Organ Harvesting
The rally also featured personal stories from those who were learning about the persecution for the first time.Krystal Pearson, a holter technician from Bristol, Pennsylvania, was visibly moved as she recounted her initial reaction to hearing about the organ harvesting.
“Honestly, it makes me want to cry. It’s terrible,” she said. “People are not just things to be used and tossed away.”
Pearson vowed to educate herself further and to spread the word to her family and friends, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness to stop such atrocities.
Lena Queen, a social worker from Delaware, said she was only “mildly familiar” with the persecution in China but expressed her commitment to learning more.
“I’ve joined the email list, so I expect to have more information to educate myself and others on it,” Queen said. She stressed the need for continued education and advocacy to ensure that human rights violations do not go unnoticed.
Mike Fennessy-Butters, a geologist who happened upon the rally, said he wasn’t aware of the issue but committed to taking action.
“I hadn’t really heard about this before but I’m not terribly surprised,” he said. Fennessy-Butters expressed his intention to learn more and to use his voice to advocate for those suffering from such persecution.
As the rally concluded, Flowers stressed the importance of persistence in advocacy, saying, “Sometimes, you know, that little drop of water over centuries will cut the groove into the hardest stone. And even though we may not see immediate changes, this legislation is a direct result of what’s happening today.”
The Falun Gong Protection Act has passed the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate.
