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The Conversation
The Conversation
Gareth Fisher, Associate Professor of Religion, Syracuse University

What is Falun Gong and why does the Chinese Communist Party want to suppress it?

Falun Gong Chinese Communist Party China Hong Kong SOPA Images
Falun Gong practitioners march in London, calling for an end to persecution by the Chinese Communist Party. James Willoughby/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

I joined members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement at Chatter Park in Hong Kong on May 13, 2000, as they celebrated World Falun Dafa Day. The annual event commemorates the anniversary of the day the group claims its leader, Li Hongzhi, first made Falun Gong practices public.

Under the hot midday sun, surrounded by police and camera-clicking journalists, we performed the five main Falun Gong body exercises.

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