Reaction from the U.S.

U.S. Response

One of the primary sources that we analyzed was a 2003 Congressional Research Service report by Thomas Lum, titled "China and Falun Gong." Below I explain the U.S. response to Falun Gong and contextualize it in comparison to other new religious movements. 

The Falun Gong movement has surprisingly received significant support from the U.S., especially when compared to other new religious movements. Several Falun Gong members have been able to file lawsuits in U.S. Courts against the People's Republic of China. These lawsuits even named three officials from the PRC. While these lawsuits typically do not fair very well in court, they help raise media attention and support the movement. (See Falun Gong in U.S. page) For a complete legal analysis of the Falun Gong cases, read "Falun Gong, International Law, and the First Amendment" found in our bibliography. 

The U.S. also unanimously passed H.Con.Res. 188 which urged the PRC to cease all persecution against Falun Gong followers. Additionally, the U.S. State Department designated China "a country of particular concern" for "particular severe violations of religious freedom" for the persecution of Falun Gong followers. This shows that the U.S. recognizes Falun Gong as a religion, even if just politically. This is more support from the U.S. than we see in many other new religious movements when the U.S. response is not very accepting. 

Lastly, several members of Congress wrote letters asking for the immediate release of all Falun Gong followers who were currently serving prison sentences or placed in detention or labor camps (Visit our History page for more info of followers detainment). Additionally, several members of Congress also wrote urging for the protection and stating "to do everything possible" to ensure the safety of Charles Li, a U.S. citizen who was placed in a Chinese labor camp for his connection to the Falun Gong movement. 

To view The Congressional Report outlining the U.S. Response to Falun Gong, please visit our bibliography and locate "China and Falun Gong."