Proclamation from Charleston, Illinois Condemning the Violence and Repression against Falun Gong

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Charleston Illinois joins the United States House of Representatives, the United States department of State and the General Assembly of the State of Illinois in calling on the Chinese government to respect freedom of thought, conscience and religion and to allow all persons to practice their religious beliefs freely; and

WHEREAS, the Falun Gong is a body, mind and spiritual practice that offers both physical and mental benefits which is free and open to all Chinese people; and

WHEREAS, a campaign of persecution of Falun Gong practitioners has been generated by the Chinese government against their own people as well as citizens of other nations.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Roscoe M. Cougill, Mayor of the City of Charleston, do hereby, on behalf of the City Council condemn the violence and repression against Falun Gong practitioners in China and urge the Chinese government to end their persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.