The couple had traveled to China to visit his ailing father. To press for her release, practitioners of the movement in Atlanta have demonstrated in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., confronted China's ambassador on his visit to Atlanta last weekend, and sent petitions to members of Congress and human rights organizations urging them to pressure Chinese authorities. But without a nod from the Chinese government, which is handling the case, Du and her husband, Shean Lin, remain in Fuzhou province. China considers the multimillion-member Falun Gong movement a threat to its stability, and has brutally cracked down on its adherents. At least 52 followers have died in police custody, including two this month, according to the Hong-Kong based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy.
Followers insist it's a spiritual practice with no political aspirations.
They plan to protest their persecution at Tiananmen Square on Oct. 1, China's National Day. If Du, who took a two-week leave from work, is terminated from her job for prolonged absence, she would lose her U.S. work status and be unable to return to Atlanta. Officials at the electronic company in Norcross where Du is employed said they were aware of her situation, but any action the company took would be up to its legal department. Meanwhile, adherents of Falun Gong in Atlanta are continuing their campaign to keep Du's plight in the public eye. A group of practitioners gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy Sept. 20 and practiced meditation and slow rhythmic movements to demonstrate the physical elements of their faith and its nonviolent philosophy.