News and Events from around the World -- September 26, 2005

Issued by Clearwisdom Net

Content

- Falun Gong Group's Truth-clarification during Hu Jintao's Visit to Ottawa
- During a Session of the European Parliament, A Councillor Appeals to the Chinese Communist Party to Release Falun Gong Practitioner Yang Feng
- France: Letting People in the Sixteenth District of Paris Know About Falun Gong
- Northern California Falun Gong Practitioners Take Part in Newark Days Parade
- Thailand: Falun Gong Practitioners Invited to Participate in Seminar at Rangsit University

Falun Gong Group's Truth-clarification during Hu Jintao's Visit to Ottawa

Upon hearing about Hu Jintao's visit to Canada on September 8, 2005, Falun Gong practitioners in Canada held many discussions about how best to make use of the situation. Everyone agreed to take advantage of the opportunity to let Hu Jintao learn the facts about Falun Gong so that he could make the right choices. More importantly, Hu's visit was also an opportunity to help the Canadian people, including the Prime Minister, learn the facts, support justice and choose their own bright future.

Full-scale Truth Clarification Activities

Several weeks before Hu Jintao's visit, practitioners conducted extensive truth clarification activities using various formats in each city, including anti-torture exhibitions, signature collection drives, hosting forums in both English and Chinese, and explaining the facts to each level of Canadian government - from members of Parliament to the Prime Minister. Practitioners also clarified the truth to each of the mainstream media outlets.

Under the late summer burning sun, practitioners from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston held an anti-torture exhibition in Ottawa for two weeks. Most of them were older practitioners and several were over 70 years old. Many Canadian citizens were touched and signed their names to oppose the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Anti-torture exhibition in front of Parliament

Before Hu's visit, practitioners held four press conferences in Ottawa and two large rallies in front of Parliament. One rally was to call for the denial of entry into Canada of Bo Xilai, a human rights criminal implicated in the persecution of Falun Gong. The other was to call on the Prime Minster to raise the Falun Gong issue in his meeting with Hu Jintao. Members of Parliament (MP) David Kilgour, Ed Broadbent, and Scott Reid expressed their support at the rally. Practitioners in Toronto and Vancouver also conducted various truth-clarification activities. Through the collective effort of practitioners across the country, nearly ten thousand Canadians co-signed an appeal letter to call on the Prime Minister to raise the Falun Gong issue in his meeting with Hu Jintao.

Many mainstream media in Canada also covered China's human rights situation, including the persecution of Falun Gong

Through the effort of practitioners and the Canadian people, human rights criminal Bo Xilai, who was initially on the list of Chinese delegates, did not enter Canada.

Hu Jintao Visits Canada, the Facts Cannot Be Covered Up

On September 8, Hu Jintao arrived in Ottawa in a heavy rain and went to the Westin Hotel. Practitioners held banners along the route to the hotel in the rain. The banners read, "Bring to justice Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, Zhou Yongkang," "Bring to justice the ruthless police and others who persecute Falun Gong," "Hu Jintao, the time that Heaven and the people give to you is limited," "Stop the persecution of Falun Gong" and "Falun Gong is good."

Practitioners hold banners along the Chinese delegation's route to the hotel | Hu Jintao's motorcade passes by

According to Ms. Zhang Monghua from Toronto, practitioners waited in the heavy rain to give Hu Jintao an opportunity to learn the facts. Many practitioners, including elderly practitioners, did not eat anything until afternoon. Everyone was in high spirits and cooperated well with each other.

Practitioners Clarify the Truth in front of Hu's Hotel

Practitioner Dai Gongyu said, "Unlike they did in later locations where they entered and exited though the side door, Hu Jintao and his delegation entered and exited through the hotel's front gate in Ottawa. They could see clearly the practitioners' appeal site and they heard our voices."

Practitioners' peaceful protest in front of the hotel

On the street in front of the hotel, Hu Jintao's motorcade many times passed by the practitioners' banners, including a banner about the "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party" and about people renouncing the Communist Party

Ms. Dai told of a specific incident early on the morning of September 8 when practitioners came to the hotel where Hu stayed to set up various banners, hold group practice and send forth righteous thoughts in front of the hotel. When Hu Jintao's motorcade arrived, the practitioners used loudspeakers to call out, "Falun Gong is good," "Stop the persecution of Falun Gong," and the three messages to Hu Jintao. As the Chinese delegation was just across the street, they could see the practitioners and hear them clearly.

When Hu's motorcade arrived, practitioners passed on their messages through a loudspeaker | Someone was afraid of the righteous voices and rented a large bus to park in front of the hotel

Someone was afraid of seeing and hearing the practitioners' righteous voices. In order to have Hu Jintao not see the practitioners and their banners, pro-CCP (Chinese Communist Party) persons rented a large bus and parked it on the street in front of the hotel, to block the view of the practitioners.

Ms. Dai said, "For several hours the bus did not leave. We realized that the bus parking there was not right. We could not accept this arrangement. Then we talked with the bus driver and pointed out that parking there was not allowed. We told the driver it would be shameful to be there only to block the petitioners. It does not conform to Canadian's rules. During the discussion, a CCP official came forward to interfere and would not let the driver talk with practitioners. The practitioners then reported the violation to the Royal Mounted Police and the Ottawa Police and explained to them the practitioners' petition here and the persecution in China. The bus finally left. The police promised us that no similar incident would occur. Our banners could be seen clearly again as Hu Jintao's delegation entered and exited the hotel."

China's red flag fails to spread in the face of truth and righteousness | Practitioners send forth righteous thoughts in front of the hotel throughout the night

A Compassionate Call from the Bottom of Falun Gong Practitioners' Heart

Practitioners shout together to Hu Jintao

During the two days of Hu's visit in Canada, practitioners sent out their pure and compassionate voices whether in front of the hotel, the General Governor's office, the Museum of Civilization or Parliament. Practitioner Mao Huizhi from St Louis, Missouri, USA said, "We wished to give him the opportunity to stop the persecution of Falun Gong and to bring the criminals [who persecute Falun Gong] to justice. His visit to Canada, I think, should have him be moved."

Practitioner Jing Zhi recalled, "My deepest impression was at around 7 a.m. on the morning when Hu Jintao left, we practiced the exercise in front of the hotel. Later, everyone started to speak out loudly together. Actually, I felt we offered a compassionate call from the bottom of our hearts. One practitioner led the call and our voice was strong and determined. Western practitioners were also touched and many practitioners had tears in their eyes. Everyone offered the calls from the heart and wished for Hu to be awakened. At that time, we could clearly see Hu Jintao and his wife only a few steps away."

Canadian Government, People and the Media Pay Attention to the Persecution of Falun Gong in China

Practitioners' appeal in front of Parliament to call for an end to the persecution. The Canadian Prime Minister raised the Falun Gong issue during his meeting in Parliament with Hu Jintao

Practitioner Ms. Zhang Menghua said during an interview, "Besides wishing to give Hu Jintao the messages, we wished to take advantage of the opportunity to have more Canadian people learn the facts and be saved."

On September 9, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin raised the Falun Gong issue in his meeting with Hu Jintao in Parliament in Ottawa. Based on practitioner Li Xun's recollection, on the evening of September 8, Stephen Harper, leader of the Official Opposition, stopped at the practitioners' appeal site on his way to attend a dinner in the Governor General's office. He shook hands with each practitioner at the site and said, "Keep up all the good work." During the press conference on September 9, the first question that reporters asked was about China's human rights situation, including the persecution of Falun Gong.

Media interview in front of the hotel where Hu stayed | Canadian media cover the event in front of Parliament

The Canadian mainstream media covered China's human rights issue, including the persecution of Falun Gong with several dozen reports. Media covering Hu's visit and the human rights situation included CBC, CTV, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, Vancouver Sun, and Montreal Gazette. In addition, international news agencies, such as Canadian Press, AP, Reuters and AFP also covered China's human rights situation and the practitioners' peaceful protest activities many times.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/9/23/111020.html

During a Session of the European Parliament, A Councillor Appeals to the Chinese Communist Party to Release Falun Gong Practitioner Yang Feng

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."

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/9/20/110792.html

France: Letting People in the Sixteenth District of Paris Know About Falun Gong

On September 17, 2005, French Falun Gong practitioners gathered signatures and talked to people about Falun Gong at the Place de Passy in the Sixteenth District of Paris. This was a part of a series of similar activities in Paris.

The Sixteenth District is on the western side of the city. Of all the twenty districts in Paris, it is famous for its luxury and elegance. Numerous international celebrities and people of high social status live in this wealthy district.

Truth-clarification | Truth-clarification

Signing to oppose the persecution | Signing to oppose the persecution

The site of the activity was the Place de Passy, a busy business street. The busy streets also brought us into contact with many people who had the chance to listen to the truth about Falun Gong and the persecution taking place in China.

During the activity, French practitioners distributed many leaflets to pedestrians. Many people expressed their condemnation of the inhuman persecution being carried out in China. Practitioners talked to people who wanted to know more about the real situation of the Chinese Communist Party that illegally suppresses, persecutes, tortures and kills the innocent and peaceful practitioners of Falun Gong. People who understood the truth were all surprised and angry and signed their names on a petition calling for an end to the human rights abuses against Falun Gong.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/9/22/110937.html

Northern California Falun Gong Practitioners Take Part in Newark Days Parade

The City of Newark, California celebrated its 50th anniversary with a parade on September 24, with about 100 organizations and groups taking part. Falun Gong practitioners were also invited to join the event. This was the 6th time that practitioners in Northern California bay area have participated in Newark Days Parade.

Falun Gong practitioners' procession | Banner reads, "Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance" | Banner reads, "Falun Gong is Good

Banner reads in English, "Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance | Falun Gong exercise demonstration troupe | Waist drum troupe

Newark is a multicultural city, as people from many different nationalities reside here. City council member Sue Johnson expressed that the city celebration is held annually and organizations from different ethnic groups, backgrounds and religions are invited to join the event. This also reflects that the city really pays attention to the harmony among residents and respect for different religions.

Falun Gong practitioners' procession was composed of a waist drum troupe, an exercise demonstration troupe, and a young practitioners' dance troupe. Some practitioners unfurled banners that read, "Falun Gong", "Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance", "The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance". When a police officer saw a banner written in Vietnamese, "Falun Gong Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance", he told a practitioner that his girlfriend is Vietnamese. Then he said, "Falun Gong is great!"

<>When the procession passed by, many spectators said, "It's beautiful!" While watching the parade, some spectators learned the Falun Gong exercises. A less-than-3-year-old boy who sat on his father's shoulders also stretched his arms to copy the practitioners' movements. When practitioners pressed their hands together in front of their chest (Heshi), he also mimicked the hand gesture. He fixed his attention on the practitioners until they were far away.

After the parade concluded, several young practitioners who wore yellow T-shirts imprinted with Falun Gong message were on their way to return to the parade's starting position. A western lady asked them, "What is Falun Gong? The parade host said that Falun Gong is a spiritual belief. Then is it a religion?"

Practitioners answered, "No. Falun Gong is a kind of qigong and its practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. After start practicing, many people gain better health and their moral standard is also improved. They become better persons." The lady was very happy and said this is exactly what she had been searching for. She said that she could feel that practicing Falun Gong allows people to be more peaceful.

Enthusiastic spectators | Enthusiastic spectators | Enthusiastic spectators

Practitioners gave her a truth-clarification flyer and told her that she could download the exercise instructions from internet and learn the exercises. All Falun Gong books including Zhuan Falun can be downloaded free of charge. Practitioners stressed that it is really important to read the book, which guides people to become truthful, kind, and tolerant. They also told her about practice sites nearby. The lady was so excited that she held practitioners' hands and kept saying, "Thank you!"

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/9/25/111188.html

Thailand: Falun Gong Practitioners Invited to Participate in Seminar at Rangsit University

On the afternoon of September 23, 2005, the Social Innovation Department held an academic seminar entitled, "Bad Social Policies' Impact on Children". Falun Gong practitioners in Thailand were invited to attend the seminar.

The invited special topic speakers included professors from Rangsit University, professors from some other universities, a radio host from MCOT, renowned psychiatrists and Falun Gong practitioners.

Professor Paisal from Rangsit University (first from left) condemns the Chinese Communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong

Professor Paisal from Rangsit University, also a Falun Gong practitioner talked about the relationship between nature and the growth of everything on the earth in his speech. He condemned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for breaching natural laws and controlling people's thoughts through despotic means, saying, "They don't allow people to enjoy the freedom of belief and persecute Falun Gong practitioners in China."

Falun Gong practitioner Huang Guohua from Mainland China related his personal experiences. His wife was tortured to death simply because of her practice of Falun Gong. His four-year-old daughter Kaixin experienced the physical and psychiatric shock from the death of her mother. Mr. Huang exposed the CCP's inhumane human rights violations with his personal experiences. He called upon the international community to help stop the persecution and support Falun Gong practitioners' human rights.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/9/25/111157.html