"Feminists in the U.S. are outraged at the violent oppression of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government," said outgoing National Organization for Women (NOW) President Patricia Ireland. "Women practitioners of Falun Gong are said to be especially targeted. They reportedly face brutal torture, physical assault, rape and even death when they stand firm in their beliefs." Ireland will join members of Congress and Falun Gong practitioners and supporters, on the second of anniversary of China's crackdown on this spiritual practice, to call for an end to  persecution by the Chinese government.

"China's human rights abuses extend beyond Falun Gong practitioners," Ireland said. "At NOW's recent national conference, activists passed a resolution demanding justice for Gao Zhan, a scholar from Tysons Corner, Virginia, who has been imprisoned without trial in China since February 11.  Her only crime seems to be writing on the status of women and traveling in China. The U.S. government must takes steps to end to these abuses."

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