Philadelphia flourishes thanks in part to the freedom, acceptance, and tolerance that are some of the founding principles of our great City. Unfortunately, these freedoms are not granted to everyone across the globe. Followers of Falun Gong, a peaceful self-improvement practice, have seen challenges to their group in China; Ride 2 Freedom is working to bring awareness to this.
Ride 2 Freedom is a bike tour that will take place across the country. Beginning on International Children’s Day, June 1, 2015, a group of teenagers from 11 countries across the world will ride their bicycles from Los Angeles to New York City, where they will address the UN General Assembly. They will then travel to China to serve as advocates for five orphans who have been identified as need a human rights intervention.
Ride 2 Freedom is a project of the Friends of Falun Gong, an independent, nonprofit organization that advocates freedom of belief for Falun Gong, a practice that focuses on truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. The Ride 2 Freedom teenagers organized this human rights campaign in order to gain global support for the cause.
On July 12, 2015, the Ride 2 Freedom bike tour will stop in Philadelphia. A welcoming party for the riders will be held at the Liberty Bell pavilion that morning.
It is fitting and appropriate, therefore, that the City of Philadelphia officially recognize with this Citation Ride 2 Freedom and wish the cyclists continued success as they enter the next leg of their journey, and continue to raise awareness of the work of Falun Gong.
Michael A. Nutter
Mayor
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