WASHINGTON D.C. — On May 21, local leaders, members of Congress, and community advocates from across Virginia and the greater Washington area gathered to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month while honoring the contributions and resilience of Falun Dafa practitioners throughout the Commonwealth.
The event, hosted by Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, brought together elected officials and members of Virginia’s diverse Asian American communities at the Russell Senate Office Building. Participants included Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, Congressman Bobby Scott, and Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi.
The gathering also coincided with the 30th anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa to Virginia, where practitioners have spent decades organizing meditation workshops, cultural events, and public awareness campaigns focused on religious freedom and human rights.
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Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient Chinese spiritual practice introduced to the public in 1992. Rooted in the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, the practice focuses on self-improvement via meditation exercises and moral cultivation. Despite being peaceful in nature, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal campaign to eradicate Falun Gong in July 1999. Since then, thousands have perished at the hands of Chinese police, with many adherents still undergoing routine monitoring, arbitrary travel bans, and arrests.
Lawmakers recognize Falun Dafa
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In a formal commendation issued May 19, Virginia Delegate Eric Zehr recognized Falun Dafa practitioners and founder Li Hongzhi for their community contributions and peaceful advocacy. The commendation described Falun Dafa as “a Chinese spiritual practice which teaches meditation exercises and emphasizes moral conduct.”
It also stated that practitioners in Virginia have “peacefully exercised their freedom of belief since the practice was introduced in 1996, contributing to the Commonwealth through volunteer-led instruction, cultural programs, and community engagement.”
Zehr’s statement further highlighted concerns over religious persecution in China, noting that Falun Dafa practitioners have faced “brutal persecution at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party” since 1999. “The perseverance of Falun Dafa practitioners in the face of oppression serves as a reminder of the universal struggle between tyranny and God-given freedom,” the commendation stated.
Another congressional recognition entered into the Congressional Record by Virginia Congressman James Walkinshaw praised the role Falun Dafa practitioners have played in strengthening community connections throughout Virginia. “Many Falun Dafa practitioners came to the United States after facing religious persecution abroad and continue to advocate for greater awareness of human rights issues around the world,” Walkinshaw stated.
The Congressional Record also noted that Falun Dafa practitioners have become “a familiar part of many community events throughout our region.”
Greetings from Virginia officials
During the May 21 celebration, lawmakers repeatedly emphasized the growing importance and diversity of Virginia’s Asian American population.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam highlighted the role Chinese Americans and other Asian American communities have played across Northern Virginia. “We have a wonderful Chinese American community in Virginia,” Subramanyam said. “We’re so proud of all their accomplishments, and we’re going to continue supporting them in Congress.” He added, “We’re going to continue to support freedom all across the world.”
Virginia Senator Mark Warner also stressed the importance of protecting religious freedom and cultural diversity amid rising incidents targeting religious communities across the U.S. “People come to this country for religious freedom,” Warner said. “So much of the hate that has stirred up there, we have to turn our houses of worship oftentimes into guarded compounds.”
Warner described Asian American communities as “the new face of Virginia,” pointing to the rapid growth of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, and other Asian American populations across the state. According to Warner, Asian Americans now make up more than 9 percent of Virginia’s population and over 20 percent of the population in Fairfax County.
Senator Tim Kaine described the gathering as both a celebration of culture and an opportunity for direct community engagement. “It’s the month where we celebrate all the amazing contributions that our Asian American, Pacific Island, Hawaiian Americans have made to Virginia and to the nation,” Kaine said.
Kaine added that events like the annual reception also allow community members to speak directly with congressional staff about issues affecting their communities. “It’s important to do something like this,” he told Vision Times.
Raising awareness
The recognition of Falun Dafa during AAPI Heritage Month also reflected growing attention among some U.S. lawmakers toward religious freedom issues involving the CCP, especially in relation to the ongoing persecution and suppression of Falun Gong practitioners both in China and beyond.
For many attendees, the event served not only as a celebration of cultural diversity, but also as a reminder of the continued importance of protecting religious freedom and human rights for all.
As Virginia’s AAPI communities continue to expand in size and political influence, lawmakers at the event repeatedly emphasized that cultural representation, civic participation, and religious liberty remain central themes shaping the Commonwealth’s evolving identity.
