Philadelphia Rally Marks 466 Million People Withdrawing From China's Communist Party

A rally in Philadelphia on Sept. 19 marked 466 million people who have withdrawn from the Chinese Communist Party, according to event organizers. Christine Flowers, a Philadelphia immigration lawyer and syndicated columnist, spoke at a Chinatown gathering hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Falun Dafa Association. Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a spiritual practice based on truth, compassion and tolerance, introduced publicly in China in the early 1990s. Flowers said her experience working with asylum seekers showed how authoritarian governments can restrict faith, expression and independent thought. The rally included Philadelphia City Council recognition initiated by Councilman Mark Squilla, and a separate citation referenced Pennsylvania state Rep. Mary Isaacson. Organizers said thousands submit withdrawal declarations each day.