Panel Discussion of the Falun Gong Movement in China to be Held at University of Richmond
November 6, 2001
A panel of practitioners will discuss the Falun Gong movement in China from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the University of Richmond.
The discussion will take place in Jepson 118. It is free and open to the public.
Falun Gong preaches the cultivation of truth, benevolence and forbearance by combining exercise, meditation and traditional Chinese religious teachings. It became popular in China in the 1990s, claiming hundreds of millions of followers both inside and outside China.
Ever since its peaceful but organized sit-in outside the Chinese leadership compound in April 1999 and the Chinese government's subsequent crackdown, the movement has generated considerable public interest in the U.S. Officially sanctioned or tolerated police brutality and mistreatment of Falun Gong inmates have raised concerns in the international human rights community.
Sen Nieh, professor of mechanical engineering at Catholic University of America, will lead a panel that will discuss the spiritual movement, demonstrate basic exercise steps and answer questions.