News and Events from around the World -- September 15, 2005

Issued by Clearwisdom Net

Content



  • New York: Falun Gong Practitioners Hold Grand Parade During UN World Summit, Call for an End to the Persecution
  • Canada: Toronto Hosts Forum on Issues Regarding China's Persecuted Children

  • India: Falun Gong Becomes Focus of Attention at the New Delhi International Book Fair

  • France: Residents in the 15th District of Paris Are Happy to Learn about Falun Gong and Support an End to the Persecution

  • Indonesia: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Painting/Photo Exhibition in Jakarta Touches Visitors' Hearts

  • Washington State, U.S.A.: Falun Gong Well-Received at Ellensburg Rodeo Parade

  • Jakarta, Indonesia: Exposing "Over One Hundred Tortures Used by the CCP to Persecute Falun Gong"



  • New York: Falun Gong Practitioners Hold Grand Parade During UN World Summit, Call for an End to the Persecution

    As Hu Jintao attended the UN World Summit, in order to stop the persecution of Falun Gong and clearly caution Hu that the time that Gods and the people have given him is limited, nearly two thousand Falun Gong practitioners from across the world gathered in New York to peacefully appeal and hold a grand parade at dusk on September 14, 2005.


    Parade procession spans over a dozen blocks


    A golden yellow placard with the words "Falun Gong" in English leads the procession


    Telling people, "Falun Dafa is Good"

    At 6:00 p.m., rush hour, pedestrians and vehicles in mid-Manhattan were bustling. Falun Gong practitioners' parade procession, protected by a group of police officers on motorcycle, set off from 35th Street and First Avenue, marching through Third Avenue and turned to 47th Street, all the way to the UN Building. The procession spanned over a dozen blocks, and was energetic and majestic. People getting off work were amazed at such a vast and mighty procession. Many people carefully read the contents on the banners. Some people hurriedly took out their cell phones to record this historic scene. Many people applauded and smiled to show their support.


    Seeing the parade procession, a pedestrian hurriedly takes out his cell phone and records this historic scene


    Carefully reading Falun Gong truth clarification materials


    People pay attention to the parade


    People pay attention to the parade

    The procession was composed of three sections. Section One was "Falun Gong is the righteous way, Falun Gong is widespread around the world." Section Two, was "Exposing the CCP's brutal persecution." Section Three was "Demanding the criminals be brought to justice; the criminals are Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Zhou Yongkang and Liu Jing. Also bring the vicious police and their accomplices to justice."


    Banner reading "Falun Dafa is Righteous"


    Banner reading "Falun Dafa is practiced in over 60 countries around the world"


    Banner reading, "FALUN GONG"


    Banner reading "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" in both Chinese and English


    Exercise demonstration


    Waist drummers celebrate Falun Gong's widespread around the world


    Drums awaken people in the maze


    Celestial maidens bring Falun Gong's good messages to the world's people


    Appeal for an end to persecution


    Appeal for the chief perpetrators to justice


    Exposing the persecution


    Rescue Charles Li


    Stop the persecution


    Stop the persecution


    Cautioning Hu Jintao: the time given to him by Gods and the people is limited

    Falun Gong practitioner Dr. Yang Sen expressed that Falun Gong practitioners believe in Gods and Buddhas, and also the heavenly principle that good will be rewarded and evil will receive retribution. He added that in history, no persecution of righteous beliefs has ever succeeded, such as the persecutions of Buddhism and Christianity. Those who have participated in the persecution will all have to pay for the crimes they have committed. However, Buddhism and Christianity have not disappeared from being persecuted, but rather spread widely after the persecutions ended.

    Mr. Yang pointed out that Jiang colluded with the CCP to launch an inhumane persecution campaign against Falun Gong. Hu Jintao has been in office for quite a period of time, but the persecution is still going on, and practitioners are still dying as a result of the persecution.

    Mr. Yang said, "As the persecution is still going on, we can't say that Hu has no responsibility. During Hu's visit, Falun Gong practitioners have held a banner reading 'Hu Jintao, the time that Gods and the people have given you is limited.' We caution him that Gods and Buddhas have boundless benevolence, Gods and the people are still giving him time to make right decision, but the time is limited."

    One of coordinators of the parade, Ms. Zhou Jianfen, revealed that today was the second day of the UN World Summit, and that New York City was on high alert. Falun Gong practitioners' parade and another parade supporting withdrawal from of the CCP were the only two parades that were approved during the summit. She expressed gratitude to New York City's mayor and the police for upholding justice and approving Falun Gong practitioners' parade. This will bring a wonderful future to New York and its citizens.



    Canada: Toronto Hosts Forum on Issues Regarding China's Persecuted Children

    On the same day that Hu Jintao arrived in Canada, a "Forum on Issues Regarding China's Persecuted Children," sponsored by the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners (GMRPFGP), was held at Toronto University on September 8, 2005. Four experts and scholars from Children's Right, Center for Victims of Torture, Human Rights and Youth Associations attended the forum and gave speeches. Lawyer Michael Mosty, director of the Canadian Democratic Union hosted the forum.


    From left to right: Michael Mosty, Kelly, Tara Ashtakala, Ezat Mossallaneiad, Wojciech Gryc

    Global Rescue Canada Branch President Jiang Fan makes opening speech (standing)

    Host Canadian Democratic Union Director lawyer Michael Mosty

    Policy Analyst Dr. Ezat Mossallaneiad from Canadian Center For Victims Of Torture (CCVT)

    Global Rescue Canada Branch Youth President Kelly (right)

    Initiator and Director Wojciech Gryc for Human Rights 5 Minutes to Midnight (right)

    Dr. Ezat Mossallaneiad from Canadian Center For Victims Of Torture (CCVT) expressed that torture is unacceptable in a civilized society, torture leads to great harm to victims, and will bring about a very bad impact on society. Dr. Ezat pointed out that in today's 21st century, children in fifteen countries are suffering persecution in differing degrees, and the situation is especially serious in China. The persecution is not only a China issue but a challenge to the world. The voices of the international community are very important in ending the persecution.

    He said that the CCVT offers help particularly for victims of torture in terms of psychological guidance, medical treatment and legal assistance. He illustrated with an example. The center once received a Chinese Falun Gong practitioner in his 70s, and he appealed that all Falun Gong practitioners who suffer torture and abuses for practicing Falun Gong in China directly go to the CCVT to seek help.

    Youth President of Global Rescue Kelly talked about how the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong has brought great harm to tens of thousands of children physically, mentally and socially. In terms of social harm, including facts that practitioners were forced to receive propaganda education that slanders Falun Gong, if they don't participate, the students are not allowed to graduate. Students who do not know the truth about Falun Gong are incited to hate Falun Gong, and students are forced to participate in the so-called "one million signatures" collection drive. In terms of physical injuries, many students and children who practice Falun Gong have been beaten by the police. Kelly introduced that a 11-year-old boy was grasped and lifted up and then thrown to the ground by a police officer. The boy kept crying, and the officer brutally hit him on his face, leading to the boy's immediate loss of hearing. In terms of mental harm, Falun Gong practitioners' children are extensively treated with prejudice in society, including the huge mental trauma of being forced to give up their schooling, and being threatened, terrified and losing their parents. Falun Gong practitioners' families have often been extorted of money. Five-month-old Yingying's parents were extorted of 2,000 yuan. Kelly finally talked about many cases of Chinese children becoming orphans as their parents were tortured to death by the CCP for practicing Falun Gong.

    Kelly said that Global Rescue and overseas Falun Gong practitioners have held various rescue activities to help these persecuted children. For example, last year, young volunteers held an SOS bicycle tour from Toronto to Washington DC, and delivered 50,000 post cards to the Canadian Prime Minister's office in hopes that more people will understand the facts of the persecution happening in China, and extend their helping hands.

    Wojciech Gryc is initiator and director of "Five Minutes to Midnight." "Five Minutes to Midnight" is a non-governmental organization promoting youth human rights, and is active in 25 countries. Wojciech Gryc talked about the persecution of Falun Gong from the angle of the media. He said that media under the control of China have misled the public and led to people's hostility against Falun Gong practitioners, and thus practitioners have had to endure tremendous pressure. This has aggravated the persecution.

    The president of the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, Tara Ashtakala made an introduction on passing and implementing the Children Rights' Pact by the UN Human Rights Committee. The pact is about rules on children's rights that are extensively accepted worldwide at present. It stipulates universal rights enjoyed by children, such as freedom of belief. Basic human rights include the right not to be prejudiced against, right to survive, right to livelihood and development, the right to freely express opinions, the right to free association, the right to receive education, and the right not to be mistreated. Tara especially mentioned that China is one of the countries that co-signed the pact and will submit to the UN Human Rights Rappateur its second report. The report on persecuted Falun Gong children was very recently submitted, therefore the human rights committee expressed dissatisfaction about China's report. She said the purpose for gathering these materials is to appeal to the Canadian government to urge China to resolve the human rights issues during their negotiation with the Chinese government.

    Tara suggested in the end that Global Rescue continue submitting reports to the UN Human Rights Committee, continue introducing the persecution facts to the public, and pay attention to the Human Rights Committee's investigation development.

    The host of the forum, lawyer Michael Mosty, said that Canada is co-signer of various international treaties protecting children's rights and anti-mistreatment of children. As citizens, we should urge the Canadian government to respect the international pact, and request our politicians to remind them to respect the protection of human rights and children's rights stipulated in the international pact.

    The forum lasted for three hours, and concluded at 4:00 p.m..


    India: Falun Gong Becomes Focus of Attention at the New Delhi International Book Fair

    The New Delhi International Book Fair was held from August 27 to September 4, 2005. Falun Gong practitioners' exercise demonstration attracted many people to come over and learn about the practice. Some people immediately learned the exercises. Many school principals and teachers invited practitioners to teach the exercises at their schools. After learning the facts, an elderly person expressed the opinion that the evil forces would not last long and that the people being persecuted would eventually win.


    People learning about Falun Gong


    Local people learning the Falun Gong exercises


    TV station interviews Falun Gong practitioners


    People learning about Falun Gong

    Local practitioners reserved a large display area in the name of the Indian Falun Dafa Association. Practitioners from Sri Lanka came to support the event. The craft items that practitioners carefully made by hand made the display booth look very professional and attractive. Practitioners from Sri Lanka brought paper lotus flowers and relief woodcarvings of the Falun emblem to decorate the booth.

    The booth was divided into two sections: one for exhibiting and selling books and the other for media and educational institutions to pick up prepared materials. On one wall, "The Journey of Falun Dafa" posters were displayed. On another wall, a big banner and photos depicting peaceful scenes of group exercises at Mainland China's practice sites before 1999 were exhibited. Photo instructions of the exercises and proclamations received were also shown on this wall. On the third wall, paintings from the collection "Uncompromising Courage" were displayed.

    Compared with other publishers' booths, the Falun Gong booth was more spacious and attractive, and the booth attracted many people. When practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, people stopped to watch. Many people wanted to try the exercises themselves, so practitioners taught them the movements. After doing the exercises, the people said that they would look for a local practice site.

    Ten practitioners from Sri Lanka and practitioners from Bombay and other Indian cities also came to the book fair. Practitioners toured around the exhibition hall demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises and distributing flyers. During the nine-day book fair, practitioners handed out several thousand flyers in both English and Hindi. This was a good opportunity to let people know about Falun Gong and clarify the truth. Many people wanted to know why we were offering such a beneficial practice free of charge at a commercial book fair.

    An 80-year-old gentleman, who had heard of the persecution in China, asked to watch the exercise demonstration. He sat down and watched the exercise instruction video. He said that the practice was so peaceful that there must be something wrong with the persecutors' brains.

    When he was about to leave, the older gentleman said, "The evil forces will not last long. The persecuted people will eventually prevail."

    When practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, many TV stations conducted interviews with them. A number of school principals and teachers invited practitioners to their schools to teach the exercises.


    Participating practitioners in a group photo


    France: Residents in the 15th District of Paris Are Happy to Learn about Falun Gong and Support an End to the Persecution

      On September 3, 2005, French Falun Gong practitioners held an activity on Rue de la Convention, the busiest area in the 15th Section of Paris, in the southwest section of the city. This activity was to introduce Falun Gong and to expose the persecution taking place in China. It was part of a series of similar activities being held in Paris.

    People are happy to learn about Falun Gong and sign a petition to support an end to the persecution

    Crowded with tall buildings and a highly concentrated population, the 15th Section contains seventy-six public schools, including universities, high schools, and elementary schools. As well as attracting a lot of students from other areas, this section of Paris is also is filled with the energy of young people and children everywhere.

    Banners reading, "Stop the persecution of Falun Gong" and "Falun Gong - Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance," together with the beautiful Falun Gong music, attracted much attention. A great number of people were curious and asked what Falun Gong is about and why it is being persecuted. Falun Gong practitioners answered these questions one by one. After understanding the situation, people expressed their support for Falun Gong practitioners and signed the petition opposing the persecution.

    Exercise demonstration

    Little practitioner distributes truth-clarifying materials

    Carefully reading the truth-clarifying materials

    Four girls came to ask about Falun Gong after seeing the banners. They expressed their righteous indignation after hearing that Falun Gong practitioners are currently cruelly tortured in China. They were very happy to sign their names upon learning that there was a petition against the persecution. One of them said, "I support Falun Gong, I also would like to show my mom a leaflet." A practitioner thus gave her a couple more. She happily said that she would pass them along to others after she returned home.

    An elderly lady continuously denounced the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) but didn't want to sign her name on the signature collection form. She thought that these signatures were to be sent to the Chinese government. She said that there was no use in sending these signatures, collected from nice people, to the evil government. She said the CCP does not deserve it. When Falun Gong practitioners smiled and told her that the collected signatures were not to be sent to China but to western countries and to international human rights organizations, she happily signed.

    After a man signed his name on the anti-persecution form, a practitioner thanked him. He, however, said to the practitioner, "It is I that should say thanks to you."

    In the evening when the activity was almost over, a man who cleaned the street said to us, "I am against all forms of persecution in the world. I totally support you. My whole-hearted blessings are with you!"



    Indonesia: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Painting/Photo Exhibition in Jakarta Touches Visitors' Hearts

    On two consecutive weekends, September 2-4 and September 9-11, 2005, Indonesia Falun Gong practitioners held a Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Photo Exhibition at the halls of Plaza Semanggi and Gajah Mada Plaza. Over one hundred paintings and photos were exhibited, displaying the hardships that Falun Gong practitioners have endured since the brutal persecution began. In order to stand up for freedom of belief, practitioners have been peacefully and persistently resisting the persecution. The visitors were touched.


    Exhibition hall


    Exercise demonstration

    As soon as the gate of Gajah Mada Plaza opened, visitors came in and walked among paintings and photos. They were very attentive and carefully read the explanations attached to each painting and photo. Some visitors gave sighs of grief while looking at the photos. Many visitors expressed that they have learned about Falun Gong, but most of visitors looked bewildered after viewing the photos...


    People carefully view paintings and photos


    People carefully read explanations attached to the paintings


    People carefully view paintings and photos


    People view paintings attentively

    Some people said that they have heard about Falun Gong many times, and knew for example, that it is banned in Mainland China, that Falun Gong practitioners were arrested and so on. They also knew that when the head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) visited Indonesia in April this year, the government had stated it would not interfere with demonstrators' appeals, but then the police arrived and arrested Falun Gong appealers. Later the Chinese Embassy negotiated with the head of the police in an attempt to not let the CCP leader see Falun Gong practitioners' appeals during the Asia-Africa Summit.


    Visitors view the photos carefully


    Listening to truth clarification


    Listening to truth clarification


    Listening to truth clarification

    Some Chinese, when seeing photos depicting brutal persecution, were very sad and asked, "Is it true?" They shook their heads while giving a sigh.

    Another Chinese said that he opposed the persecution very much, and felt very upset.

    An Indonesian man said that he went to the embassy to apply for a visa several years ago, and the embassy staff presented him with a VCD that slandered Falun Gong. The VCD said Falun Gong practitioners kill themselves. He felt puzzled. How could so many people practice it if they thought it would lead people to commit suicide? Such a question had puzzled him for several years, and not until now did he understand that it was simply another of the CCP's malicious lies.

    Another Indonesian man gave practitioners a thumbs-up after listening to the explanation, and said sincerely, "Selamat berjuang!" (Wish your success!)



    Washington State, U.S.A.: Falun Gong Well-Received at Ellensburg Rodeo Parade

    Falun Gong practitioners in Washington State participated for the first time in the Ellensburg Rodeo Parade in September 2005. Their procession was well received and highly praised by parade spectators.


    Falun Gong procession

    Falun Gong procession

    Exercise demonstration on float

    The rodeo, carrying the pioneering spirit of the west, is one of the favorite sports in the western United States. The rodeo in Ellensburg, coinciding with a fair in this mid-Washington State town, attracts many people every year. Falun Gong practitioners in western and eastern Washington State took this opportunity to introduce Falun Gong. They brought a beautiful lotus float, a waist drum troupe, banners, photo display boards and flyers.

    Parade spectators were fascinated by the float decorated with many lotus flowers, and they repeatedly praised it. A Falun Gong practitioner in beautiful Tang Dynasty costume and several young practitioners sat on the float and waved to the people. The spectators waved back, greeted practitioners and gave them the thumbs-up sign in support. One woman even pressed her hands together in front of her chest to greet practitioners, in an Eastern gesture of greeting. People were hungry for Falun Gong introductory materials, including children.

    Falun Gong practitioners from eastern Washington stayed to introduce Falun Gong after the parade was over. One local woman even learned the Falun Gong exercises. She liked it so much that she plans to start an exercise site in Ellensburg. She took some more materials to give to people with whom she was acquainted.

    The practitioners were greatly encouraged by the warmth of the people in Ellensburg, who must have been waiting for Falun Gong for a long time.


    Jakarta, Indonesia: Exposing "Over One Hundred Tortures Used by the CCP to Persecute Falun Gong"

    Last week, a photo exhibit entitled, "Over One Hundred Tortures Used by the CCP to Persecute Falun Gong" was seen in front of the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta. The tortures it exposed are used on Falun Gong practitioners by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). The degree of brutality was horrifying. People passing by stopped and watched, and greatly condemned the persecution. They felt it inconceivable that these vicious crimes are happening in today's civilized century in a country that is famous for its ancient culture. People were filled with indignation and signed their names on a long white cloth, urging the CCP to immediately stop the persecution of Falun Gong.


    People shocked at seeing over one hundred tortures used by the CCP to persecute Falun Gong practitioners

    Behind the photo exhibit is CCP's Liaison Office in Jakarta

    The photo exhibit created a strong sensation. The Chinese Embassy across the street came out to interfere. Two embassies officials came over from across the street to protest, requesting the police on-duty in front of the embassy to disperse practitioners who were sitting in meditation. The reason was that the photos displayed were an insult to China, and would damage the two countries' good relationships.

    Practitioners explained that what these photos exposed is all true. Actually, the degree of brutality the photos exposed was only the tip of the iceberg. The more brutal scenes were too horrible to display. Falun Gong practitioners asked the police, "Have you heard of any political power that is more brutal and inhumane than is the CCP in the persecution of Falun Gong?" But practitioners have no political agenda. To what extent is the CCP's persecution so brutal? For example, shocking male practitioners' testicles with electric batons, cutting off women practitioners' nipples, and photos of more brutal tortures are too cruel to exhibit.

    The police were astonished after listening to practitioners' explanations. In the end, they decided not to take any action. Publicly expressing freedom of belief is the right of every citizen, as protected by the Constitution. The photo exhibit then continued smoothly to the end.

    Falun Gong practitioner Hok expressed that Falun Gong practitioners' appeals are peaceful, and are to awaken people's conscience. The CCP single-handedly persecutes Falun Gong, and its crimes are known to people all over the world. The CCP also attempts to avoid condemnation. Safeguarding human rights and upholding justice are basic principles for being a human being. Supporting the persecuted people is an unalterable principle. Five hundred people signed their names on the white cloth supporting Falun Gong practitioners. Practitioners will continue their appeal until the day when the persecution ends.