That the City Council adopt a resolution
in support of the human rights of the practitioners of Falun Gong, as follows:
Whereas, Falun
Gong is a peaceful form of belief and practice with a multitude of
practitioners in the City of San José and elsewhere; and
Whereas, Falun
Gong is a self-improvement spiritual
practice based upon the principles of “Truthfulness, Benevolence, and
Forbearance”; and
Whereas, Falun Gong’s practice includes five sets of exercises,
done with classic Chinese music and involving meditation and gentle body movements;
and
Whereas, many
individuals are drawn to Falun Gong because of the beneficial effects on mind,
body and spiritual improvements derived by its practices and exercises; and
Whereas the practice of Falun Gong is a
constitutionally protected expression of the freedom of religion, of the
freedom of speech, and of the right of peaceful assembly; and
Whereas, Falun Gong practitioners’
activities in the Bay Area have been interfered with; and
Whereas, the San Jose City Council firmly
believes in upholding a citizen’s fundamental right to freedom, personal belief
and practice, expression and assembly;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the
City Council extends respect to and urges protection of the beliefs and
peaceful activities of Falun Gong practitioners.
Background
The Human Rights
Commission has recommended the adoption of a resolution supporting the rights
of the practitioners of Falun Gong by a letter from Paul Feci, Chair, dated
July 27, 2001.
Falun Gong (also
known as Falun Dafa) is a peaceful form of belief and practice with many
practitioners in the City of San José and millions of practitioners around the
world.
The
practitioners meet regularly in San Jose.
In the mornings they meet at Cataldi Park, Penitencia Creek Park,
Glenview Park, Camden Community Center Park, Townsend Park, and Evergreen Tuscan Park to engage in
exercises, done to Chinese music. They
also meet regularly in the evenings at residences for group study.
Falun Gong is a
self-improvement spiritual practice that combines exercise and meditation. Many individuals are drawn to Falun Gong
because of the beneficial effects derived from its practices and exercises.
Even though the practice of Falun Gong is
a constitutionally protected expression of the freedom of religion, of the
freedom of speech, and of the right of peaceful assembly, the practitioners
have suffered interference and harassment in the Bay Area, including a physical
attack in San Francisco and attempts to disrupt a conference in San Jose.
The City Council should help protect our
fundamental rights to freedom of belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of
peaceful assembly by adopting a resolution that acknowledges respect for and
urges protection of the beliefs and peaceful activities of Falun Gong
practitioners.
Chuck
Reed
Councilmember