SAN FRANCISCO—An anti-torture exhibit at San Francisco City Hall on July 16 raised awareness of the 20 years of persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
“When you see some of the pictures of the … images that I’ve come across, you think in the States that we have a voice, we’re listened to, and we have an opportunity for someone to hear us scream, even if they are the smallest. But you want that around the world,” said Nicholas Taft McCoy, a San Francisco resident.
“Anytime that I see people fighting for … just the right to live, the right to be free from persecution and make life decisions on their own, I’m always going to support that. I’m always going to be a fan of that,” said Nabil Saad a college student from North Carolina.
Falun Gong—also known as Falun Dafa—is a peaceful meditation practice that was popular in China during the 1990’s due to the many health benefits practitioners experienced. In fear of its growing numbers, however, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started a crack-down in 1999.
Since then, practitioners have been subject to brainwashing and various forms of torture, including being killed for their organs.
But many people and organizations are working to expose the regime’s wrongdoing and support a just outcome.
“The number of organ sales going on from China, in proportion to the Falun Gong persecution, it is the world’s most documented example of organ harvesting. And we can’t participate in, and it shows the evil of the Chinese Communist party and the need to stand against it,” said Mark Chilson, a real estate lender.
Bob Fu, founder of China Aid, also commented on the regime’s atrocities.
“To harvest and hunt people’s organs when they’re still alive … this is something we need to expose further.”
The public became more aware of live organ harvesting after it was recently reported on in the media.
“We’re all one, and we all have influence on each other. So the more you’re aware of it, the more you help people, even if just acknowledging it, could make a big difference over there,” said Thomas Rhymes, who works with university admissions in San Francisco.
Bay Area practitioners will mark the anniversary with a parade and peaceful rally to raise awareness, on Saturday, July 20th.
