Friends of Falun Gong USA (FoFG USA) is a U.S.-based, nonprofit human rights organization founded in the year 2000 by Americans concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong. Our mission is to support the freedom of belief of persons who practice Falun Gong, to stop the persecution, and to bring to justice those who have perpetrated human rights crimes targeting Falun Gong practitioners. FoFG's efforts include large-scale rallies in Washington DC, lawsuits against the architects of the persecution, and smaller, targeted projects counteracting the Chinese government’s massive propaganda campaign.

What is Falun Gong?

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that consists of gentle exercises and postures, combined with a meditation component. Three values- Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance- form the core of Falun Gong’s philosophy. Many liken its technique to tai chi or yoga. The discipline was made public in May of 1992 by its founder, Li Hongzhi. Today, Falun Gong is practiced in over 50 countries. For more information about the practice, visit http://falundafa.org

Why is it being persecuted?

When Chinese leader Jiang Zemin banned Falun Gong on July 20, 1999, up to 100 million people in China were suddenly cast into the role of criminals. There are many theories regarding the reasons behind this incomprehensible act. Superficially, it looked like the entire Chinese government had decided to eliminate the practice. Emerging evidence suggests, however, that it was Jiang alone who was responsible, fearing the growing numbers of practitioners and jealous of the practice’s popularity, among other reasons. Unable to crush the millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang intensified the regime’s propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against Falun Gong while imprisoning, torturing, and even murdering those who practice it. Background of the persecution

Who has been victimized?

When the persecution was launched in 1999, tens of millions of Chinese who practiced the spiritual discipline were required to follow the Communist Party edict to quit the practice. Some tried to continue practicing in the privacy of their homes, but with the information gathering techniques of the CCP, this proved impossible. Many sought to exercise their constitutional right to protest; openly resisting the persecution in spite of knowing exercising these rights would often result in incarceration (from "reform through labor" to long prison sentences), torture and, sometimes, death. More subtle forms of punishment include job loss, divorce, ostracized from family and friends, forfeiture of pensions and health care benefits, expulsion from schools and universities while many are forced to go "underground" to avoid capture.

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