GAITHERSBURG, Maryland — On May 6, the Maryland Democratic Party hosted a vibrant celebration in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Held at the Hong Kong Pearl Restaurant, the event brought together dozens of community leaders, elected officials, and advocates to celebrate the many contributions Asian Americans have made in the federal government and in community-building efforts across the state.
Prominent attendees included Maryland Governor Wes Moore, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Congresswoman April M. Delaney, Representative Ted Lieu, co-chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and many others.
Championing diversity
Governor Moore praised the resilience and contributions of the AAPI community in his remarks, calling AAPI Heritage Month a “celebration of the beauty, history, and strength of a community foundational to our state and nation.” He added, “We champion Maryland’s AAPI community as we work together to build a state where opportunity is available to all.”
In a special gesture of recognition, Moore also issued a gubernatorial citation to Falun Gong practitioners (a traditional Chinese spiritual faith also known as Falun Dafa) ahead of the then-upcoming World Falun Dafa Day on May 13.
“Because of your demonstration of high integrity and ability, meriting our great trust and respect, we are most pleased to award you the Governor’s Citation in appreciation of your outstanding services to the citizens of this State,” the proclamation reads.
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Falun Gong, a spiritual practice rooted in the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, has gained global recognition for its peaceful meditation exercises and emphasis on elevating one’s moral state through self-cultivation. First introduced to the Chinese public by Master Li Hongzhi in 1992, the practice soon gained enormous popularity throughout the country. Alarmed by this, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a violent campaign of persecution against Falun Gong in 1999. This oppression has continued unabated for over two decades.
Falun Gong adherents actively participated in several local AAPI events, including a major parade in Virginia’s Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival on May 3, as well as a wellness demonstration at INOVA, Northern Virginia’s and the larger DC area’s largest non-profit hospital system. During that event, nurses invited practitioners to teach the Falun Dafa exercises and introduce the practice’s benefits in helping them manage stress and improve their well-being.
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State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim of Virginia, who is originally from Bangladesh, joined attendees in praising the efforts of Falun Gong practitioners. While speaking to Vision Times on May 3, he said, “We all come from different parts of the world, and to not only bring our heritage here, but to showcase how we bring so much peace; we bring so much color and vibrant opportunities… That is the important part.”
He added, “When people come to America, they have the opportunity to say, ‘I have come from a place where it was tough, it was difficult. Now that I am here, how do I help other people?’ That’s what you’re doing. That’s what Falun Gong is doing. That’s what all these folks that are here are trying to do.”
Building community
Newly-elected Maryland Congresswoman April M. Delaney, representing District 6, also emphasized the transformative role AAPI communities play, particularly in Montgomery County.
“I really enjoy being here tonight at this celebration, because the AAPI community has been so unbelievable in Montgomery County, in the sixth district across Maryland, in driving innovation through research and starting small businesses, and really driving the community,” Delaney said. “I am such a big believer in making sure that we have pathways for all imprints to come and to actually build better lives here.”
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In a previous AAPI celebration hosted by Virginia Democrats and INOVA on May 3, the event featured traditional food, music, and dance, including performances by local dance and cultural groups. In remarks to attendees, several lawmakers also reiterated their commitment to fighting discrimination, expanding access to opportunity, and preserving human rights abroad.
Raising awareness
Senator Salim, who previously co-signed a bipartisan letter with over 50 Virginia lawmakers urging the U.S. State Department to address the CCP’s ongoing persecution of Falun Gong, reaffirmed his stance during the event. He has vocally supported efforts to raise awareness about forced organ harvesting in China and called on the U.S. to ensure that products made through forced labor are not allowed into American markets.
RELATED: Former Journalist Exposes Chilling Organ Harvesting Crimes at Wuhan Tongji Hospital
This year’s AAPI Heritage Month theme, shared by many participants, was one of inclusion, resilience, and appreciation. “When we celebrate this, we showcase to our children our cultures,” said Salim. “So that when they go to school, they can talk to their friends about their culture in a positive way. We get to control the narrative — and that’s what it’s about.”
The Maryland Democratic Party’s celebration is one of many events taking place across the greater Washington region this month. Upcoming activities include a Capitol Hill AAPI coffee event hosted by Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner on May 15, with performances from Chantilly High School’s Korean dance troupe, “Buchaechum.”
For more information on upcoming AAPI events in Maryland, including the AANHPI Heritage Month Commonwealth Coffee event, please visit the official website here.
