July 8, 2001

After six days of cycling, Elly Xu, Bohao Sun and Chris Jasurek rode into the Augusta area, sunburned and needing bicycle repairs.

But for the three cyclists, sunburn was a small sacrifice to bring awareness to the plight of imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners in China.

The three are cycling from Orlando, Fla., to Washington to raise awareness about the atrocities being committed in China against practitioners of Falun Gong.

In Washington, they will meet with others to commemorate the second anniversary of the crackdown against the Falun Gong in China.

''When people see us biking they are moved, they pay more attention,'' Mr. Sun said Saturday as a small group gathered at Lake Olmstead. About a dozen supporters from Atlanta drove to Augusta to meet with the cyclists.

''We are calling on all of the kind-hearted people and people of good conscience to make your voice heard,'' Ms. Xu said.

''This is how we want to tell people what's happening in China,'' she said. ''In China, they seal the news. We want the world to know the truth.''

Since the Chinese government banned the group - viewed as a threat to the status quo of the [party' name omitted] regime - about 200 people have died and countless others have been imprisoned in labor camps in an effort to crush the spiritual movement. According to Amnesty International, Falun Gong practitioners are being systematically detained in ''reform centers.'' Those who don't denounce their beliefs are jailed.

''It's about the spirit, about the belief,'' said Becky Yao, a practitioner from Atlanta who met the cyclists in Augusta. ''They want to crush the Falun Gong, but they cannot crush the mind.''

Last week, a judicial official in northeastern Heilongjian province, Lan Jingli, said 14 members of the movement hanged themselves from bunk beds with sheets at the province's Wanjia labor camp.

Falun Gong members claim the prisoners were tortured to death.

''We want people to know that China is doing the wrong thing and killing their own people,'' Ms. Xu said.

[...]

The Falun Gong says its teachings forbid all forms of killing, including suicide, and maintains the government is running a smear campaign.

About the [group] Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is a Chinese practice that improves health, reduces stress and increases energy. The practices involves slow, fluid exercises and spiritual principles of truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance.

Practitioners say Falun Gong is not a religion and has no formal membership and no political affiliations. The goal is to improve and enlighten its practitioners.

For more information, visit www.faluninfo.net.

The Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Hong Kong says it has confirmed 153 deaths in the crackdown.

Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is an advanced practice of exercise and meditation designed to improve the mind and body. Although based on an ancient philosophy, it was introduced to the masses by Li Hongzhi in 1992.

''We don't have any political attachments, don't have a church, don't accept donations,'' Ms. Xu said. ''It's like tai chi; it's not a religion.''

Falun Gong promotes the development of mind, body and spirit.

There are two aspects to the ancient practice: cultivation and exercise. The cultivation, which is the improvement of mind and spirit, focuses on truthfulness, compassion and tolerance and letting go negative beliefs, feelings and behaviors.

The second aspect, exercise, is designed to open energy channels of the body.

Mr. Jasurek was studying t'ai chi in Orlando before he began practicing Falun Gong. He was looking for something more introspective.

Since he became a practitioner, Mr. Jasurek said he has eliminated stress, become more positive and feels more at peace.

''I grew up inside,'' he said. ''I'm letting go of a lot of fear, anger, and childishness. But it's not just the exercises; it's living by truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.''

Associated Press reports were used in this article.

Lisa M. Lohr at (706) 823-3332 or [email protected].

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