News and Events from around the World -- March 14, 2006

Issued by Clearwisdom Net

Content


  • Falun Dafa Association of Korea Calls for Thorough Investigation of Sujiatun Concentration Camp

  • Vancouver, Canada: Practitioners Call on Canadian Government to Take Measures to Stop the Atrocities in Sujiatun Concentration Camp

  • Montreal, Canada: Practitioners Protest the Secret Concentration Camp Used to Kill Falun Gong Practitioners

  • The Power of the "Celestial Band" Amazes US Capital

  • Connecticut: Falun Gong Participates in Chinese New Year Celebration


  • Falun Dafa Association of Korea Calls for Thorough Investigation of Sujiatun Concentration Camp

     A large number of Falun Gong practitioners are being held in the secret Sujiatun Concentration Camp in Shenyang City. There is a crematorium and on-site doctors who live inside the concentration camp. Human organs are harvested from practitioners and sold on the black market. To help stop these atrocities, on the morning of March 10, 2006, the Falun Dafa Association of Korea held a press conference in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul to condemn the genocide and call on the international community to investigate and rescue the practitioners.


    Vice Director of the Falun Dafa Association of Korea reads a stern statement condemning the genocide and calling on the international community to investigate


    Practitioners hold press conference in front of Chinese Embassy

    A journalist publicized that thousands of Falun Gong practitioners are detained in a secret concentration camp in the Sujiatun district of Shenyang, China. There is a crematorium in the camp. Many doctors stay there. Nobody has come out of the camp. Practitioners' internal organs are harvested for illegal sale on the black market and then their bodies are cremated to destroy the evidence. Practitioners in other regions of the Northeastern three provinces are being transferred to the camp. The situation is urgent.

    The Vice Director of the Falun Dafa Association of Korea read a stern statement to condemn the genocide and call on the international community to pay attention to and investigate the facts of the persecution.

    Since the publication of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, nearly nine million Chinese people have posted a declaration to renounce the CCP. Along with more people quitting the CCP and more facts of the persecution being exposed, more and more people of conscience will stand up to expose the CCP and help stop its atrocities.

    Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2006/3/12/122617.html



    Vancouver, Canada: Practitioners Call on Canadian Government to Take Measures to Stop the Atrocities in Sujiatun Concentration Camp

    At noon of March 11, 2006, practitioners from Vancouver held a press conference in front of the Chinese Consulate to protest the Chinese Communist regime's crimes in setting up a concentration camp at Sujiatun to assassinate practitioners. They harvest practitioners' bodily organs for profit, cremating the bodies to hide the evidence. Practitioners also call on the Canadian government to stand up to stop the atrocities, and call on world society to start an investigation.

    According to Clearwisdom website, the Chinese Communist regime set up a secret concentration camp at Sujiatun, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. Thousands of practitioners are held there. The camp includes a cremation furnace. No one has ever come out alive.

    Practitioners from three northeastern provinces in China are taken to Sujiatun. A new campaign of arresting practitioners has begun. There is evidence that the CCP is killing people to keep them silent before the regime's disintegration, following the genocidal steps of Hitler.

    In the conference, practitioners read a letter to Primer Minister Harper on behalf all practitioners. The letter called on the Canadian government to investigate the Sujiatun concentration camp, and to take all possible measures to stop the genocide.

    Practitioners also read the announcement from "World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong" (WOIPFG). The announcement requested all insiders to provide a list of each workunit, group or individual involved in the torture and murder of practitioners in the Sujiatun Concentration Camp.

    WOIPFG said that to those who can provide important evidence, WOIPFG will help them to leave China and to obtain political asylum.

    The press conference drew peoples' attention. Many passing-by vehicles honked to show their support.

    Chinese version available at http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2006/3/12/122670.html


    Montreal, Canada: Practitioners Protest the Secret Concentration Camp Used to Kill Falun Gong Practitioners

     On the afternoon of March 11, 2006, Falun Gong practitioners in Montreal, Canada rallied in Zhongshan Park in Chinatown to protest CCP's inhuman crimes. CCP built a secret concentration camp in Sujiatun, Shenyang City where Falun Gong practitioners have been locked up, tortured and killed, and their internal organs were harvested and sold for profit.


    Protesting the genocide

    Mr. Jin exposes inside information about Sujiatun Concentration Camp
    Photos of Persecuted Falun Gong practitioners

    People sign their names to protest the killing

    People look at photos of persecuted practitioners


    People are shocked at the CCP's atrocities

    The organizer of the rally announced that according to a reliable source, the CCP set up a secret concentration camp in Sujiatun, Shenyang City where more than 6,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been locked up. The information was made public March 8, 2006. The secret prison has a crematorium and an unusually large number of doctors work there. It is reported that no detainees have managed to come out of it alive. Before cremation, their internal organs are harvested and sold for profit. Currently, there are very few Falun Gong practitioners detained in Masanjia Forced Labor Camp and Dabei Second Prison. Most of them have been moved to Sujiatun. Falun Gong practitioners from three northeast provinces and central China are transferring there. The situation is rather urgent, and the rally was to call for an urgent rescue.

    Falun Gong practitioners read the announcement from Falun Dafa Information Center and an open letter from Canadian Falun Dafa Association, calling upon the Canadian government, Prime Minister, international community and United Nations to investigate into the Sujiatun Concentration Camp, further expose the atrocities, and help stop this barbaric and frenzied massacre.

    The organizer prepared lot of information and materials regarding the incident in Chinese, English and French, and signature-collection sheets. Passersby were shocked after learning about the incident and inquired how to help.

    CCP attempts to kill the victims to destroy the evidence of their crimes, but unexpectedly makes more evident between good and evil

    Passersby in Chinatown stopped to look at banners and photos of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners. Some Chinese who usually passed by hastily stopped to see. People were shocked at such unimaginable crimes.

    A man looked at the photos of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners and was very surprised. He asked, "Why hasn't the persecution been stopped after going on for such a long time? It's hard to imagine that regime has done such a thing to its own citizens, and to such a group of people. What can we do for you?"

    A Bulgarian woman sadly said, while shaking her head, "People living under the rule of Communist party can easily understand the terror of the communist regime. There were also concentration camps in Bulgaria before it broke away from the rule of communist party and became a democratic country. But in Bulgaria, everyone is still afraid of the communist party. [...] We can understand the terror under the rule of communist party."

    Some people expressed that they saw news about China's economic prosperity on TV, but had no idea about the atrocities committed against Falun Gong.

    A man in his 50s said, "I know China is not as good as the reports say. That is only a part of China, and the surface prosperity that can be seen. There are also poor places, but I never knew about such persecution."

    Two members of Canadian Green Party passed by Chinatown and learned about the incident. One of them expressed, "The CCP's act is extremely absurd. I do not dare to believe that in modern times we can still allow a government to do such evil deeds unpunished. The government should have protected its people, not torture and detain them.

    Memories of Nazi genocide, people try their best to resist the persecution

    People who have heard and seen about Sujiatun are shocked.

    A young Chinese working in a local copy shop suggested that Falun Gong practitioners make post cards for signature collections and then post them to the Canadian Prime Minister and request the Canadian government to help stop the killing.

    Many passersby expressed that they would tell their Members of Parliament about Sujiatun.

    A member of Canadian Green Party said, "It's horrible!" and expressed that he would bring this news to the Canadian government when he returned to Ottawa. They would try their best to help Falun Gong practitioners until the persecution is stopped.

    A woman from Latvia, one of the 16 league countries of former Soviet Union, said, "We should take an immediate action. Because we saw the Nazis crimes against humanity during WWII, we know what is happening now. At this time, other countries should denounce and stop the CCP's evil deeds and rescue these people. Though it is very difficult, I believe it is possible. I feel we should let more countries learn about the CCP's evil deeds, and pressure the CCP. The Europeans have the best understanding of it because they experienced the WWII. "

    The woman continued, "CCP's tyrannical rule is unable to govern the country well. Twenty years ago, my grandfather died as a result of the persecution in a CCP concentration camp. Now we are fortunately living a democratic and free life without the CCP's tyrannical rule. We are very familiar with the terror under CCP rule. No one has a good feeling toward the CCP, but no one dares to speak out. Everyone is afraid of losing their life. I understand the Chinese people's situation. I truly bless you and support your action today."

    A Chinese woman in her 30s said to Falun Gong practitioners, "I was shocked to hear of this news. I wanted to cry upon hearing of such inhuman deeds. The CCP even deprives people of their fundamental right to live and dignity. You've done great, you should keep it up, never be afraid."

    A local French man said to Falun Gong practitioners, "I'm moved by all this you've done. You are doing it for the entire humanity."

    Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2006/3/13/122742.html



    The Power of the "Celestial Band" Amazes US Capital

      St. Patrick's Day Parades are held in many big cities in North America each year. Originally a holiday for Irish immigrants in North America, St. Patrick's Day has become a festive occasion for people of all backgrounds. Falun Gong practitioners were invited for the third year to participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Washington DC. The Falun Gong parade entry was bigger and better this year, with the addition of the Celestial Band, the recently established marching band. This was the first appearance for the Celestial Band in Washington DC. The sound of drums and trumpets reverberated along the entire Constitution Ave. It was an impressive sight.


    "Celestial Band" marching band

    "Celestial Band" marching band

    The parade was held at noon on March 12, 2006, along Constitution Ave. in Washington, DC. Over 100 groups participated in the parade, featuring floats, marching bands, Irish traditional dance and all kinds of performances. The entire parade was festooned with green decorations--traditional color for the Irish people. Hundreds of thousands of people lined the sides of Constitution Ave. to watch the parade.

    Falun Gong practitioners' contingent

    Celestial maidens' dance

    Float

    The Falun Gong entry was in the second half of the parade. Three women in white holding a green banner reading "Falun Dafa-Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" in both Chinese and English led the Falun Gong contingent. The 200-strong member Celestial Band followed. There were eight columns in the band, traversing the entire Constitution Ave. It was the biggest marching band in the parade. Behind the marching band was a beautifully decorated float where eight practitioners of different nationalities demonstrated the exercises. There were also six "celestial maidens" in traditional Tang Dynasty costumes gracefully dancing on both sides of the float.

    Celestial Band makes its first appearance in Washington DC

    The Celestial Band played, "Falun Dafa is Great," "America the Beautiful" and other compositions, to endless applause and acclaim from spectators along the parade route. Many spectators clapped with the rhythm of music. This was the first appearance the Celestial Band has made in the US capital, following performances in New York and Los Angeles. According to one of the directors of the band, former cellist at Central Philharmonic Orchestra of China, Mr. Chen Rutang, the band's performance has become better and better, more and more orderly and more and more powerful.

    A teacher named Kate Buser from Washington DC said, "It's really fantastic, I feel the 'America the Beautiful' they played was terrific."

    Patrolman Brown from the DC Police Department said, "Falun Gong's band is very good. Their band lines up neatly." When told that the band was just set up and had practiced for only a few months, he was amazed.

    Lawyer Harold O'Brian from New Jersey and dean of school affairs Joann Pierie from Pennsylvania said that they had never seen such a large marching band and they had never heard about Falun Gong, either, but they felt Falun Gong practitioners' marching band was wonderful.

    Miraculous marching band

    Mr. Chen Rutang introduced that the band has military drums, cymbals, clarinets, flutes, piccolos, saxophones, trumpets, bass trumpets, tenor horns, tubas, French horns, trombones, sousaphones and more. The youngest band member is only 10 years old, while the oldest are in their late 50s. The band is mostly Chinese, but with many westerners, too. Falun Gong practitioners come from various trades and occupations, including doctors, professors, company executives, actuaries, computer engineers, reporters, university students, middle-school students, housewives and so on. Mr. Chen said that the Celestial Band displays Falun Gong practitioners' demeanor, and manifests the wonders of Falun Gong.

    Famous Chinese tenor Guan Guimin participated in the Celestial Band performance. He said that it took the Celestial Band just over two months from start to its first performance. The members of the band are all Falun Gong practitioners. Most of them are amateurs. They had never touched musical instruments before, and couldn't even read music. They only practiced on weekends. Generally speaking, such a large band requires six months to one year to set up. He said, "The band was established in over two months, and able to give public performances, and play so well, it is really a miracle."

    The Celestial Band is the largest band composed of mainly overseas Chinese in the world.

    Heralding Spring's arrival

    The weather was fine, with a pleasant gentle breeze. The temperature reached as high 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Green could be seen everywhere in the parade, giving people a breath of spring.

    After the parade, at the invitation of the Epoch Times, the Celestial Band performed two musical pieces at a rally supporting the nine million people who have quit the CCP. The rally was held in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Mr. Chen Rutang said, "As a Falun Gong practitioner, I'm pleased to see that nine million people have withdrawn from the CCP and its affiliated organizations, and more and more Chinese people have seen through the evil nature of the CCP and are awakening. The resignation from the CCP is a big matter for everyone to save themselves at a critical moment. Only putting an end to the tyranny, respecting beliefs and freedom, improving people's moral standards, can the Chinese nation truly stand among the world's people, this is our aspiration. Participating in this rally, is also sending out a strongest voice to the Chinese people--Heaven will eliminate the CCP, quit the CCP to save yourself, and be quick to wake up. I hope our bugle calls can convey such a message."

    Sacred holiday

    St. Patrick's Day was originally established to commemorate St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland. In the 5th century, St. Patrick spent nearly 30 years traveling throughout Ireland to spread Jesus' gospel. During that time, he established most of the Catholic churches and monasteries across the country. It is said that St Patrick once displayed divine power to drive all the snakes out of Ireland. Today, it's rare to find snakes in all of Ireland. As time passed by, St. Patrick's Day became a traditional holiday for Irish immigrants in North America to display their nation's culture.

    Dr. Lai Shantao teaching at American Catholic University said, "Falun Gong has widely spread to over 70 countries around the world, and is popular and well-received by people from all nationalities. The exercise demonstration on today's float was mainly performed by Western Falun Gong practitioners."

    Dr. Lai continued, "With further spread of Falun Gong in the world, in near future, there will be one day when all people with all nationalities in all places of the world hold parades to celebrate Falun Dafa Day."

    Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2006/3/13/122777.html


    Connecticut: Falun Gong Participates in Chinese New Year Celebration

    On March 5, 2006, Connecticut Chinese Culture Association (CCCA) held the fifth annual celebration and traditional culture exhibition in New Haven. The Governor of the State of Connecticut proclaimed the day as "Connecticut Chinese New Year Celebration Day." Eight hundred people attended the celebration. Practitioners participated in the entertainment. The audience very much enjoyed the performances.

    Picture of the dance "Drum spreading the strongest sound"

    Soprano Jiang Min's first song called "Awake from Dream" touched people's hearts. Her second song called "Good Wish of Farewell to Old and Greeting the New" presented people with warm wishes from the bottom of her heart.

    Renowned Chinese tenor Mr. Guan Guimin came out to the hallway before the event to chat with local Chinese. His first song was self-composed, a Shanxi folk song called "Wish." The words go, "a year passing by as a moment, any meet could be an opportunity, have you ever heard of the truth I talked to you, which is out of compassion. I wish you have a beautiful future, wish you make best use of each year, wish you mind is clearer, you can see through everything." An audience member from China told me she was surprised to see such a high level performance, and to have the opportunity to hear Guan Guimin in person was a great honor.



    Dance "Childhood" brought many in the audience to tears

    Practitioners also performed the dance "Childhood" and "Drum Spreading Strongest Sound". "Childhood" tells a story that a practitioner was taken away for persecution, while her lonely daughter dreamed that her mother become a Bodhisattva, and took her into heaven.

    A retired professor from Yale University said that the performance of "Childhood" made him cry. He himself was forced to leave his daughter when she was only 15 days old, only because he and his wife were persecuted for their belief in Christianity. He told state congressional member Joe Mioli next to him that the story in the dance is still happening, right now in China.


    Members of Falun Gong Club in Yale University showing how to fold paper lotus flowers

    Calligraphy presentation

    The professor also explained the rich Chinese culture in the performances. He said: "Art should not just entertain people. ... the performances tonight really depicted the truthfulness and benevolence nature of Chinese culture, they are both enjoyable and able to lead people beyond the joy and reaching the higher level satisfactory of pure truthfulness and benevolence, and that's the true purpose of culture exchange."

    Many practitioners just finished the Global Gala Troupe tour, and then went to California for an experience sharing conference. Without a pause, they came back to the east coast and took time to practice for this celebration. Why?

    A practitioner said: "What we performed contains compassionate power, which can clear up the audience's bad thoughts and Chinese Communist Party-like ideas in their mind. We are purifying them, in order to let them learn the facts about Falun Gong, so they can choose a better future. Thinking of the responsibility, we have to do it no matter how tired we are. During the preparation and the performance, we took all the interference as opportunities to clarify the truth, and we took all the hardship that we run into as opportunities for improvement.

    Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2006/3/11/122568.html