Whether you are a journalist investigating high-control groups, a student writing a thesis, a family member trying to understand a loved one’s sudden transformation, or someone quietly questioning your own involvement/navigating information about Falun Gong can feel bewildering. On one side, public relations campaigns present Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) as a harmless, … Read more
Undercover Journalism, Secret Police, and Global Deportation Ping-Pong How an ill-fitting borrowed suit, a manic human rights lawyer, and an apocalyptic spiritual movement delivered me into a subterranean airport cell and a four-country deportation relay. The Survey, the Suit, and the Cover Story It was late August 2006, and my latest New Zealand tourist visa … Read more
When a family member joins Falun Gong, the initial focus is often on the group’s political stances or meditation practices. However, the most acute danger often remains hidden until a medical crisis hits. To an outsider, refusing medical treatment looks like irrational self-destruction. To a devout practitioner, it is a perfectly logical, spiritual calculation. If … Read more