KXII-TV CBS News Channel 12 (Sherman, TX): Friends of an American Doctor imprisoned in China rally for his release

9/8/2003

It's a humanitarian effort that's gone around the world.

Today it landed in Sherman.

Friends of an American Doctor imprisoned in China rallied for his release today at Sherman city hall. They say he is being tortured in jail and they are traveling around the country with a petition for his release. Doctor Lee has spent the last six months in a Chinese prison for practicing Falun Gong. It's an ancient Chinese mind and body practice that is banned by the Chinese government.

Those at today's rally say Doctor Lee is taking a stance for human rights.

"Today we hope this national tour across the United States will bring the awareness to the plight of Charles, to help him get released, to let people know he is a human rights hero."

Doctor Lee's friends will end their coast-to-coast tour in Washington DC, where they'll present their petition to the State Department.