PureInsight | August 30, 2015
[PureInsight.org] To rescue orphans of Falun Gong practitioners, the Ride to Freedom started the 3000 miles ride from Los Angeles to Washington DC from June 1, 2015 to July 16, 2015.
The young cyclists are from several countries, including China, the United States, Germany, France, Austria, India, South America, Russia, Argentina, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Hungary, and Singapore. They rode in bicycles across the United States, calling for attention to the persecution of Falun Gong in China and orphans of Falun Gong practitioners. They also hope to rescue five orphans to the United States.
Along the way, youth riders talked about the persecution of Falun Gong in China and how they benefited from practicing Falun Gong. Many Americans expressed support to Falun Gong. They also provided help after hearing the truth.
People Support in Front of the Lincoln Memorial
July 17th, Falun Gong practitioners held a concert to raise awareness of the persecution. The young riders participated in the event.
Ron Mason has known Keith, the coordinator of Ride to Freedom, for many years. He said Keith told him about the persecution of Falun Gong in China. “I saw the House introduced a resolution against organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners. I hope Ride to Freedom makes it visible to the world.” he added.
A teacher from Virginia, Ipsa Mishra said of the persecution, “It is horrible. It must stop.” She also said Ride to Freedom attracted the people’s attention and raised awareness of mainland Falun Gong practitioners’ pressure.
William Craig from Washington DC said, “I have heard about the persecution of Falun Gong. It’s something that I am very deeply concerned about.” It was a support for him to come to the concert. He said, “Just the fact that we are able to hear these songs that have been sung in these prisons and sung by the survivors who went through the Chinese torture system is remarkable. It is as if we are reaching out and touching them in some way, though they are thousands of miles away.”
Jeffrey Robinson is a researcher at a local university which is a half hour cycle trip from the Lincoln Memorial. He said, “I know the persecution of Falun Gong in China. There is no belief and freedom of expression there. I have heard periodically in the news that they are imprisoned. The freedom of expression and religion are very important. I am very supportive to Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful anti-persecution.”
Ranger Actively Provided Help
The riders met a lot of kind people in the 3000-mile trip. They reached a campsite in Nevada around midnight. When they tried to read the billboard by lighting up the bicycle lamp, a truck passing by slowed down and stopped.
After he was told that they were looking for a campsite, the driver told them this campsite is for small group. You should go to a campsite for large group. However, those campsites are expensive and closed.
The riders told him they are trying to rescue orphans of Falun Gong practitioners by doing the bicycle trip. They also told him mainland Falun Gong practitioners have been persecuted because of their faith: they were tortured, forced brainwashing, even to death. The man felt sorry for the practitioners.
He said, “I am the ranger here. I can help you. Follow me.” He brought the riders to the campsite for large group and opened the gate. He told them, “You can stay here tonight for free. Take it from me on behalf of federal government.”
He left and returned quickly with a lot of firewood on his car. He said, “This is my personal donation for you to make a camp fire.”
Police Escorted
The riders planned a meandering local road to avoid the highway in Salt Lake City, Utah. A police officer they met there suggested them to take highway 15 and leave highway at exit 112. He offered to escort them to exit 84.
It’s very dangerous to ride bicycle on highway without police escort. The riders decided to go to exit 84 first. When they said goodbye to this nice officer, they met another state police officer. After the state police officer knew the persecution truth, he escorted them to exit 112 and invited them to his home which is close to this exit.
He offered them food and soft drinks and further understood the persecution truth of Falun Gong. His big family also knew the truth. The officer and his family had a group photo with the riders to support their effort to rescue the orphans.
Translated from: http://news.zhengjian.org/node/27179
