(Clearwisdom.net) "While China is in the spotlight because of the Olympic Games, instead of stopping the persecution of Falun Gong, the Chinese Communist regime has been arresting and torturing practitioners in the name of a 'successful Olympic Games,'" Gongyu Dai, spokesperson for the Canadian Falun Dafa Association, said at an anti-torture exhibit held on Capitol Hill on August 23.

According to Clearwisdom.net, between December 2007 and June 2008, the Chinese Communist regime unlawfully arrested more than 8000 Falun Gong practitioners. During this period, several practitioners died from torture while in custody. For example, at around 10:00 p.m. on January 26, Beijing musician Zhou Yu's car was stopped by police for an "Olympics safety check," and he was arrested after police discovered that he was a Falun Gong practitioner. While in custody, Zhou died as a result of on February 6. He was only 42 years old.

On August 23, Ottawa practitioners held an anti-torture exhibit on Capitol Hill to clarify the truth of the persecution to the public. As practitioners simulated several torture methods used in the persecution, several thousand tourists and local residents viewed the exhibit. Many of them signed a petition calling for the Chinese regime to end the persecution of Falun Gong. Several Chinese tourists also came to see the exhibit.

Haidong Li (a pseudonym used here to ensure the person's safety) immigrated from Shenyang and now lives in Vancouver. He said that former Chinese Communist Party head Jiang Zemin is the chief culprit responsible for the persecution. "Before Jiang stepped down, a friend of mine who works in the Shenyang Public Security Bureau told me that they often monitor Falun Gong practitioners around the clock. I believe that the Communist Party's charges against Falun Gong are all fabricated, as it always tries to deceive the public. You may have heard about the age scandal regarding the Chinese gymnasts. What a shame!" Li said.

Looking at the exhibit, Li said, "I respect Falun Gong. For so many years, they continue to resist the persecution. It is really admirable, and only people with belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance can do this."

Ottawa resident Junqiang Xiao came to the site to help practitioners collect signatures. He said, "The most stupid thing that the Communist Party is doing is persecuting Falun Gong. It is inhumane to persecute innocent people for their beliefs."

Gongyu Dai, spokesperson for the Canadian Falun Dafa Association, explained why the group helped with this exhibit, "While China is in the spotlight because of the Olympic Games, instead of stopping the persecution of Falun Gong, the Chinese Communist regime has been arresting and torturing practitioners in the same of a 'successful Olympic Games.'

"We are here to call for help on behalf of our fellow practitioners detained in China. Please remember that persecution like this is still happening in China," Dai said.