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Our September newsletter includes reports on Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to North America, where he was challenged by President Bush and by Canadian PM Martin about China’s appalling human rights record, with particular emphasis on Falun Gong. He was also met in both countries by a huge wave of opposition to his persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. We also have a report on a UK MEP’s appeal to the Chinese Communist Party to end the persecution during a session of the European Parliament. Falun Gong practitioners have been involved in several festivals and exhibitions in Europe during the month. We report on those in France and Russia. Finally we include the story of two more practitioners who have died as a result of harsh treatment at the hands of the Chinese authorities, as the death toll nears 3000.
Editor
Hu Jintao Arrives in New York, Falun Gong Practitioners Appeal for an End to the Persecution
On the afternoon of September 13, 2005, as Hu Jintao arrived in New York, Falun Gong practitioners held a large-scale peaceful appeal in front of the UN and Waldorf-Astoria Hotel where Hu was staying.
 
Large scale appeal in front of Waldorf-Astoria Hotel |
Early in the morning, practitioners gathered near the hotel. Their bright yellow T-shirts bearing the words, "Falun Dafa is Great," and "Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong" were extraordinarily eye-catching in the stream of people in Manhattan.
A large banner with white words on a blue background contained 16 huge placards, each carrying one Chinese character. It read, "Hu Jintao, the time given to you by God and the people is limited." The message conveyed was clear and definite, and could be seen clearly from across the street.
There were two more huge banners that terrified the malicious people. They bore the messages, "Bring Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing and Zhou Yongkang to Justice," and "Bring the Vicious Police and Others Who Persecute Falun Gong to Justice" in both Chinese and English. They sternly caution people that Good and Evil will receive due retributions. These malicious people who have been ruthless and inhumane in persecuting Falun Gong will definitely be severely punished in a court of law. Persecuting cultivators who believe in "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" will definitely be punished by heavenly principles as well as by justice in the human world.
Hu Jintao enters the hotel
As we expected, Hu Jintao attempted to enter the hotel stealthily from a side entrance, paying no regards to the hundreds of hired welcome team members waiting for him on Park Boulevard. Several big and sturdy men were arranged to come with the delegation from China and wave flags to greet Hu when he was about to enter the hotel from the side entrance. As head of the CCP, why would he take such great pains to avoid people welcoming him? Wise people all know that those who are truly concerned about Hu are Falun Gong practitioners. Why not take a good look at Falun Gong practitioners' kind thoughts with honour and dignity? Please be sure, "Hu Jintao, the time given to you by God and the people is limited."
The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel is located in mid-Manhattan, and there is always a steady stream of people passing by. Many predestined people saw Falun Gong practitioners' banners, accepted materials from practitioners and carefully read them. As a practitioner was passing out "Falun Gong Today" at an intersection, a middle-aged, well-dressed man accepted a copy, and asked what it was about. The practitioner told him Falun Gong is about cultivation practice related to meditation. Tens of thousands of people in China are suffering persecution for persisting in this beneficial cultivation practice. The man asked what he could do to help. The practitioner told him to tell more people to call for an end to the persecution, because the CCP wants to suppress the American people's voices of justice by means of doing business. The man understood and took another truth-clarifying newspaper and said he would do so.
Meeting with Chinese people and clarifying the facts to them with compassion
Wherever Hu went, there was always a "welcome team" composed of hired overseas Chinese who have not learned the truth, and also a large number of Chinese people from Mainland China.
Falun Gong practitioners stood right beside these welcome team members. Most of the people had to pass by practitioners so as to reach their designated area. They could see all of the banners clearly. Practitioners also patiently clarified the facts to them, telling them, "For the sake of dignity and purity, refuse to welcome the CCP."
Trucks carry truth clarification messages
Trailer bearing truth-clarifying messages |
Trucks bearing truth-clarifying messages |
In order to let predestined people get a better understanding of the truth, Falun Dafa practitioners rented 35 trucks, each carrying Falun Gong truth-clarifying banners in both Chinese and English on the left and right sides and back. The messages on the banners read, "Falun Dafa is Great," "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is Great," "Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong," "Hu Jintao, the time given to you by God and the people is limited," "Bring Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing and Zhou Yongkang to Justice, " and "Bring the Vicious Police and Others Who Persecute Falun Gong to Justice." The U-hall trailers drove around the streets, which created an impressive, moving scene.
A gentleman came over and said, "Have your trucks drive more times here, that one is so good.
Some officials from the Chinese Embassy came to the Falun Gong practitioners' appeal site in front of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to exert pressure on the police. Dafa practitioners maintained steadfast, sending forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil elements behind these people while clarifying the truth to the police. Hu has been in office for over two years, but the inhumane persecution of Falun Gong is still going on. Tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners inside China have been deprived of all opportunities to have their voices heard. We cherish this precious opportunity very much, we only hope that Hu can learn the truth, and immediately stop the persecution of Falun Gong. The police expressed that they have learned about Falun Gong and showed sympathy for Falun Gong. They also expressed repeatedly that the designated area for Falun Gong practitioners was the best location they could find, and also was nearest to Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Practitioners also told the police that we are neither protesting nor welcoming Hu; we simply hope that Hu and all Chinese people will learn about the facts of Falun Gong, and have a beautiful future. So we wanted to be together with the welcome team. The police approved our request.
Over the next two days, Falun Gong practitioners continued to appeal in front of the UN and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong.
Canada: Prime Minister Raises Falun Gong Issue with Hu and Leader of the Official Opposition Supports Practitioners
On September 9, 2005, Canada Prime Minster Martin raised the issue of Falun Gong during his meeting with Hu Jintao. On the evening of September 8, Stephen Harper, leader of the Official Opposition, shook hands and talked with practitioners appealing in front of the Governor General's Office. He encouraged the practitioners to "Keep up all the good work."
Canadian government and the public pay attention to Falun Gong during Hu Jintao's visit
On the morning of September 9, during the joint press conference of the two leaders, Prime Minster Martin said he had a thorough discussion with Hu on human rights and governance of a country and raised the Falun Gong issue. He believed that better governance of a country needs better understanding of human rights.
At 6 p.m. on September 8, Stephen Harper, leader of the Official Opposition, stopped at the practitioners' appeal site on his way to attend dinner in the Governor General's Office. He shook hands with each practitioner on site and said "Keep up all the good work."
On the morning of September 9, Roger Clavet, Member of Parliament (MP), showed up at practitioners' appeal site in front of Parliament and had a group photo with practitioners. He said that he would meet Hu Jintao in a while and would raise the issue of Falun Gong. MP David Kilgour went to Parliament to support the practitioners.
Hu Jintao evades the issue of the persecution of Falun Gong, but Canadian media focuses on it
During the press conference on September 9, the first question that reporters asked was China's human rights issue including the persecution of Falun Gong. Hu Jintao replied to other questions but did not address the issue of the persecution of Falun Gong.
The editorial of Ottawa Citizen on September 9 stated that Prime Minister "should speak about the ongoing persecution of the practitioners of Falun Gong."
The editorial stated that "Human rights, not trade and investment, should dominate the agenda when Prime Minister Paul Martin meets Chinese President Hu Jintao today."
The editorial stated that Canadian's attitude towards China's human rights "isn't hard enough or sharp enough to make an impact on the Chinese regime. Mr. Hu's visit gives Mr. Martin an opportunity to speak loudly, firmly and publicly about specific violations."
The editorial stated that the Prime Minister "should speak about China's embrace of 21st-century forms of restriction on freedom of speech, including the monitoring of online dissidents and journalists and the creation of selective Internet search software that serves as anti-democracy censorship."
The editorial stated that the Prime Minister "should, instead, see this visit as a chance to put human rights front and centre. Canada's trade relationship with China should not stop Mr. Martin from frank and public criticism of the Chinese regime."
In addition, Globe and Mail, 24 Hours Vancouver, Vancouver Sun, and CTV also focused on China's human rights issues including the persecution of Falun Gong in covering Hu Jintao's visit of Canada.
During a Session of the European Parliament, a Councillor Appeals to the Chinese Communist Party to Release Falun Gong Practitioner Yang Feng
By a UK practitioner
On September 8th, there was a forum on the Chinese Communist Party's abuses against human rights and freedom of speech during a session of the European Parliament. Mr John Bowis, an MEP from London, made a brief speech appealing to the CCP to stop its violations of human rights.
MEP John Bowis |
In his speech, Mr. Bowis said, "China is a great country with a splendid culture. But the violation of human rights has brought shame on the reputation of the country. I hope that the Chinese all can listen attentively to what my colleagues are talking about and also to the resolution on freedom and tolerance."
In his speech, he also mentioned Yang Feng, a former UK Falun Gong practitioner who is locked up by the CCP. Mr. Bowis said, "I hope that the Chinese Government can set Miss Yang Feng free. She was illegally arrested when calling on a friend of hers. She has been put into a Women's Forced Labour Camp, without going through any legal process, where she is suffering from ill-treatment and brainwashing."
Mr. Bowis said finally, "Only by listening attentively to, taking action and putting an end to the behaviour of persecuting human rights, can the Chinese government receive our respect."
Appendix:
Yang Feng, 42, was arrested at the home of a friend, a Falun Gong practitioner, in Beijing on the evening of March 1st 2005. Yang Feng refused to sign a search warrant and replied that she had done nothing wrong. After searching her by force, police took Yang Feng away together with her PC and some other things, leaving her fourteen year-old son shocked and alone at home. After they left, it was the child himself that rang one of his relatives for help.
Mrs. Agnes Wilton from London, a good friend of Yang Feng's who has known her for ten years, said, "Falun Gong is very peaceful, not harmful and has nothing to do with politics. Everybody around me likes Annie (Yang Feng's English name)." She "felt very sad" about Yang Feng's arrest. " I have called those who probably know where she is detained, but nobody knows where she is locked up."
Mrs. P Fitzgerald living in Ireland is another friend of Yang Feng's. She has known Yang Feng for six years. Mrs Fitzgerald said she was "shocked and extremely dissatisfied." She also said, "I am deeply sympathetic to her situation. She is a very nice person, honest and kind."
Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200509/28978.html
United Kingdom: Falun Gong Practitioners Invited to Participate in the Cowley Festival in Oxford
From the 10th to the 18th of September, 2005, the week-long annual Cowley Festival was held in the Cowley district of Oxford, UK. On the 17th of September, Falun Gong practitioners from Oxford and neighbouring cities participated in the Cowley Festival by invitation from the organising committee. At the Cowley Centre, practitioners demonstrated Falun Gong exercises and performed the Lion Dance and "The Flying Law Wheel" dance.
Lion dance |
Dance "The flying law wheel" |
Falun Gong exercise demonstration |
People watching the exercise demonstration with great interest |
People watching the exercise demonstration with great interest |
The paper lotus flowers folded by practitioners and bookmarks are warmly received |
The festival's organising committee's invitation was on a strong recommendation from Mr. Stan Taylor, who was a former member of Oxford city council. According to local practitioners, since his term at the local council, Mr. Taylor has been deeply sympathetic towards Falun Gong's persecution in China. He supports calls to stop the persecution.
A brief introduction to Falun Gong was included in the Cowley Festival leaflets. The introduction went as flows:-. Following "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance" as basic principles, Falun Gong is a practice, which includes exercises and meditation, to improve body, mind and spirit.
On the 17th of September, the day of the event, some practitioners demonstrated the five peaceful and harmonious Falun Gong exercises while others distributed leaflets. A few onlookers enquired about where to learn the exercises. Practitioners gave them details about the free classes taught by local volunteers.
An English gentleman who studies at Oxford University told a Chinese practitioner that he also saw Falun Gong a week or two before in Cambridge. He added, "You are welcome here in the UK)" "Here you can practise freely and call freely for a stop to the persecution."
At the end of the event, when passing the practitioners, a gentleman made a point of saying, "Thank you very much!"
Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200509/28994.html
France: Open Air Concert Held in Paris during the Mid-Autumn Festival to Rescue Orphaned Children of Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners
An old Chinese saying goes, "On festive occasions more than ever one thinks of one's dear ones far away." On September 18, 2005, under the clear autumn sky, the air was crisp and the sun was shining. Falun Gong practitioners in Paris held a benefit performance and signature-gathering activity in the renowned Human Rights Square in Paris to draw support for rescuing orphans of Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted to death in China, and to express overseas Falun Gong practitioners' greetings and best wishes to the practitioners in Mainland China. By doing so, they hoped to put an end to this brutal persecution.
Dancing |
Flute playing |
Exercise demonstration |
As tourists from all over the world came to the plaza in droves, our activities drew much attention amidst the hustle and bustle. Many tourists listened to flute recitals, watched a "Fairy Dance" and singing performances, as well as demonstrations of the Falun Gong exercises. Many stopped to appreciate our performances.
Falun Gong practitioners took advantage of this opportunity to display the magnificence of Falun Gong to the public with artistic performances, and to expose the inhumane persecution against good people who believe in "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance" that has now lasted for six years. Not only has this persecution led to the death of nearly three thousand practitioners, but it also has caused many children to become homeless, be forced to drop out of school and even become orphans.
Upon learning that the objective of the benefit performance was to rescue the innocent orphans of Falun Gong practitioners persecuted to death in China, many people asked for more information and signed the petition to support Falun Gong. Many children also signed their names on the petition in a sincere manner after hearing explanations from their parents. In the meantime, many tourists, including children, folded paper lotus flowers together with Falun Gong practitioners to express their wishes that Falun Gong practitioners would regain their freedom of belief.
A Chinese man who works overseas said, "We can't find out anything in China. This is the first time that I have come to understand Falun Gong." Later on, he talked to Falun Gong practitioners for over an hour. An overseas Chinese person who has lived in France for over twenty years also watched our performances for several hours. After learning that our campaign was for the rescue of Falun Gong orphans, one French person suggested that we explain the facts of Falun Gong to more French organizations for children so as to get more support. A French boy asked, "I am a Buddhist, and I heard that Falun Gong is very good. Can I be a practitioner as well?" One woman started to learn the exercises on the spot upon seeing our demonstration.
At the end of the event, an original song written by practitioners entitled, "Coming for You" was sung earnestly with heartfelt feeling to convey the hopes of Falun Gong practitioners: In order to help people understand the facts of the persecution against Falun Gong and realize that Falun Gong is good, we are willing to come for you from afar time and again.
http://clearharmony.net/articles/200509/28933.html
Two Elderly Practitioners in Daqing City Died as a Result of the Persecution
Ms. Wang Chengyuan, 66 years old, lived in the Saertu District No. 3 Oil Extraction Factory in Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province. Before Ms. Wang started to practise Falun Gong, she was plagued with many health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and tri-facial neuralgia. After she began to practise Falun Gong in July 1995, all her diseases disappeared. Ms. Wang Chengyuan was once the assistant for the Falun Dafa exercise instruction and practice site at the No. 3 Oil Extraction Factory, where 500 to 600 practitioners once exercised. After Falun Dafa was suppressed, due to the great benefits the practice had brought her, Ms. Wang continued to practice Falun Gong and, as a result, was repeatedly arrested, detained and persecuted.
Ms. Wang Chengyuan |
On February 25, 2000, Ms. Wang went to Beijing to peacefully and lawfully appeal for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong. As a result of this appeal she was arrested and detained at the Saertu District Detention Centre in Daqing City. During her detention she told the prisoners and police officers the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong. When she suffered a dislocation of her cervical vertebra and could no longer control her body, the evildoers no longer dared to keep her, and she was released on April 26. On July 16, 2000, Ms. Wang was again arrested, sentenced to one year of forced labour and sent to the Shuanghe Forced Labour Camp in Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province, for a year of forced labour. A week later, she was sent home due to severe weakness. On November 29, 2000, Ms. Wang again went to Beijing to appeal for an end to the persecution. Once again she was arrested, sent back to Daqing, and detained for more than four months. During that time, both her legs were in extreme pain and no longer functioned due to the persecution she had suffered. On May 16, 2001, Ms. Wang was arrested at home, but, due to her family's pleas, she was released on June 15.
In early July 2005, Ms. Wang's left leg was extremely painful. Both her leg and foot were terribly swollen, and a few days later her vision and hearing started to decline. Her mental state also deteriorated. She died early in the morning on August 6.
Ms. Liu Sumei, 78 years old, lived in the Ranghulu District of Daqing City. Ms. Liu began to practice Falun Gong in 1996, which led to the cure of the chronic appendicitis and chronic kidney infections that she had suffered for many years. Even after the persecution started, Ms. Liu was steadfast in practicing Falun Gong.
On June 18, 2000, Ms. Liu Sumei participated in practicing the Falun Gong exercises with other practitioners in front of the Daqing Oil Management Department and safely returned. Although Ms. Liu wasn't arrested, her daughter-in-law Xing Yuzhen was repeatedly arrested for her efforts to help stop the persecution and to expose the atrocities taking place. Early one morning in September 2002, Ms. Liu's son Jiang Nianxiang and her daughter-in-law Xing Yuzhen were both arrested. The police ransacked their home and confiscated their computer and 5000 yuan worth of gold jewellery. Afterwards, Jiang Nianxiang was sentenced to six years of imprisonment, and Xing Yuzhen was sentenced to three years of forced labour. Ms. Liu could hardly bear witnessing such evil deeds. She fell into a trancelike state and had difficulty walking. She died in September 2003.
Russia: Practitioners in Moscow Hold an Anti-Torture Exhibition Condemning the Persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party
By a Russian practitioner
On September 11, 2005, Falun Gong practitioners from Russia peacefully presented a petition on the streets of Moscow. By using real people to re-enact the persecution and by displaying related pictures showing scenes of torture, practitioners demonstrated to people the brutal truth of Falun Gong's persecution during the past six years by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Holding banners with the words "2,740 Falun Gong Practitioners have been Persecuted to Death by the CCP, but the Persecution Still Continues," Russian practitioners were telling the world's people about the persecution that is happening in China, and calling for the CCP to stop the human rights abuses against Falun Gong.
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| Reenactment of torture methods |
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| Moscow residents learning the facts |
Many passers-by asked, "Why are good people who believe in Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance being persecuted in China?" The practitioners told them patiently, "It is because China is at present under the rule of the Communist Party's dictatorship. The nature of the Communists is to monopolize the wealth of society and cause terror among people by using force, making people treat its words like law through deception, making people lose their nature of kindness and honesty by forcing its atheism onto people. The fact that the belief of "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance" has been widely recognized and well received not only made the head of the CCP jealous, but also frightened, and that's why they started the persecution." Russians used to suffer from the dictatorship of the Soviet Communist Party and could relate to plight of the Chinese people. On hearing the facts, they signed the petition one after another to show their support against the persecution.
A kind-hearted policeman on duty asked practitioners: "Is it useful for you to hold such an activity while the CCP is still persecuting Falun Gong?" Practitioners told him, "The means used by the CCP to persecute Falun Gong is to deceive and blind the world's people. What we are doing now is directly explaining the facts of the persecution to the Russian people. In the meantime, we also explain the truth to all governments and media in hopes that they can make a clear distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, and position themselves well and not be deceived by the CCP. What we are doing now is beneficial to all countries and their people. Those who have done evil deeds are afraid of their evil deeds being exposed and are afraid of the awakening of kind people all over the world, because the power of justice will cause the evil to have no place to hide. So what we are doing now is very meaningful." After hearing what we explained, the policeman was very pleased and left after taking truth-clarification literature.
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