New Castle County Council is set to address significant human rights concerns following powerful testimonies from local residents about the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. During a recent council meeting, community members shared harrowing personal experiences and urged the council to pass a resolution condemning the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) actions against Falun Gong, which has been under severe repression since 1999.

Cindy, a long-time Falun Gong practitioner, highlighted the brutal realities faced by practitioners, including torture, forced organ harvesting, and transnational repression affecting individuals in the United States. She emphasized that misinformation campaigns orchestrated by the CCP have targeted organizations like Shen Yun Performing Arts, which aims to revive traditional Chinese culture. The council was informed that threats against Shen Yun performances have escalated, including bomb threats aimed at venues hosting their shows.

William Huang, another speaker and a survivor of the persecution, recounted his five years in prison due to his beliefs. He stressed the connection between the products Americans purchase and the forced labor of Falun Gong practitioners in China, urging residents to consider the implications of their consumer choices. Huang also pointed out that the repression extends beyond China, affecting local communities in Delaware, as evidenced by the retraction of a proclamation supporting Falun Dafa Day by Newark's mayor under pressure from the Chinese consulate.

Lily Song, who has lived in the U.S. since 1997, shared her personal struggles, including being unable to return to China for decades due to the CCP's oppressive regime. She praised the council for its historical support of Falun Gong and called for continued action against the persecution.

The testimonies culminated in a call for the council to reaffirm its stance against the CCP's actions and support the resolution condemning the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. As the council considers this resolution, the implications for local and national human rights advocacy remain significant, highlighting the need for vigilance against transnational repression and the importance of standing in solidarity with those facing persecution.