Crackdown Time

COULD these gentle and silent people, going about their morning exercises, be the scourge of the Chinese government? About 20 have gathered at a park in New York’s Chinatown. They are practicing Falun Gong, a quasi-religion that blends traditional breathing techniques, mysticism, and ethical instruction. Most of them stand on mats, without shoes, executing very slow movements. They have their eyes closed. Many in the group are elderly. They seem in no position to convulse a major power; nor do they seem so disposed. But they and their like have the regime in Beijing trembling.

Falun Gong came to the world’s notice on April 25. On that day, some-

About the Author

Jay Nordlinger

Jay Nordlinger was a senior editor of National Review and a book fellow at National Review Institute.

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COULD these gentle and silent people, going about their morning exercises, be the scourge of the Chinese government? About 20 have gathered at a park in New York’s Chinatown. They are practicing Falun Gong, a quasi-religion that blends traditional breathing techniques, mysticism, and ethical instruction. Most of them stand on mats, without shoes, executing very slow movements. They have their eyes closed. Many in the group are elderly. They seem in no position to convulse a major power; nor do they seem so disposed. But they and their like have the regime in Beijing trembling.

Falun Gong came to the world’s notice on April 25. On that day, some-