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News and Events Around the World
Accounts of Persecution
Practitioners Exchange Insights and Experiences
(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners in the Greater New York Area protested in front of the Chinese Consulate on the evening of July 20, 2011, against the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners over the past twelve years. Dressed in yellow T-shirts and holding pictures of persecution victims, Falun Gong practitioners mourned their fellow practitioners who died in the persecution and called for it to end.
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Falun Gong practitioners hold a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate in New York.
On July 20 twelve years ago, the CCP regime launched a brutal and systematic persecution of Falun Gong practitioners who follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. Slanders of Falun Gong inundated the Chinese media. Practitioners were thrown into forced labor camps and prisons, and were cruelly tortured. According to the Minghui website, the confirmed number of deaths has reached 3428 as of July 20, 2011.
Falun Gong practitioners in New York held a one-hour-long rally before the vigil. Ms. Yi Rong, Chair of the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP, said 98,980,000 people had quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Falun Gong practitioners are saving people through their work against the persecution, and have made a miraculous accomplishment in leading people quit the CCP, the Youth League and Young Pioneers peacefully.
Mr. Wang Zhiyuan from the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong in China (CIPFG) said that in addition to lawsuits against the chief perpetrators around the world, the CIPFG has established a tracking and monitoring system in more than seventy countries. The only way out for the persecutors was to cooperate with the investigation and make amends for their crimes by doing good deeds.
Ms. Jiao Jian, former General Manager of the Sohu Network, Guangzhou Branch, said, “I'm fortunate to come to this free society and make my voice heard. However, people in China don't have this opportunity...The practitioners there are having a hard time. But they don't hold hatred, because they can see the true victims of the persecution are those who still hold illusions about the CCP. There are many kind people among them. It would be a great pity if they are buried with the CCP.” This was the first July 20 that Ms. Jiao spent in a free society. July 20 is the anniversary of the day the CCP first arrested Falun Gong practitioners. She was arrested in 2001 just for owning Falun Gong books. She was tortured with a method called “rope tying” when she refused to give up her faith. In 2002, she was sent to a labor camp for two and a half years.
Mr. Niu Jinping, a Falun Gong practitioner from China, said that he was saddened that he recognized more than twenty victims among the three thousand pictures of deceased Falun Gong practitioners. Mr. Niu managed to come to the U.S. three weeks ago. He has witnessed the support of Falun Gong in the international community.
Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York wrote a support letter on the eve of July 20. She wrote, "Since its inception, Falun Dafa has been the inspiration for the cultivation of peace. Its teachings are of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Falun Dafa aspires to enable its practitioners to ascend spiritually through moral rectitude and the practice of the five exercises--four standing and one seated meditation. It is my hope that your efforts and the collective efforts of all Falun Dafa supporters will inspire others to take part in actions large and small, public and private, to build stronger communities and a better New York."
Representatives Eliot Engel and Yvette Clarke of New York also wrote support letters condemning the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong and praising Falun Gong practitioners' spirit of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.
The candlelight vigil started at 8:30 p.m. Facing twelve years of persecution, Falun Gong practitioners remain steadfast to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.
(Clearwisdom.net) July 20, 2011, was the 12th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong in China. The verified death toll of has now reached 3428.
Despite of extreme heat warning in Toronto, more than one hundred Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate to call for an end to the persecution at 11:55 a.m. on July 20, 2011. Several Falun Gong practitioners who had personally experienced the persecution gave speeches to expose the CCP's brutal crimes. Following the rally, practitioners held truth-clarification activities on the street. A solemn candlelight vigil was held in the evening to mourn the practitioners in China who have died in the persecution.
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Falun Gong practitioners expose the CCP's use of torture in front of the Chinese Consulate in Toronto. |
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Falun Gong practitioners expose the CCP's use of torture in front of the Chinese Consulate in Toronto. |
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Candlelight Vigil |
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Candlelight Vigil |
Mr. Zhang Zhaojin, the representative of the Falun Dafa Association in Canada, said the persecution not only targeted Falun Gong practitioners' beliefs, but also attempted to destroy the moral standards and spiritual values of all people. “The pretext for the persecution is completely based on lies and deceptive information. In the past twelve years, no matter if it was hot summer or snowy winter, we have been peacefully protesting against the CCP's brutality against Falun Gong practitioners.”
Ms. Dong Xin, a former professor at a Chinese university, had just broken free from monitoring and come to Canada. She experienced abduction, imprisonment, forced labor and torture in China. She said, “Just like thousands of other Falun Gong practitioners in China, I have been cruelly tortured. They ripped off our clothes, forced us to do intensive labor for 18 hours a day, deprived us of sleep, beat us and shocked us with electric batons. My body was swollen and my wounds festered. I was almost blind because they shocked me on my eyes. I almost lost my life.”
Ms. Chen came to Canada five months ago. The Chinese police once hung her up for more than ten hours. Her arm was broken, and her joints were dislocated. She was sent to a labor camp in Harbin for two years. She was forced to do hard labor for more than ten hours a day and wasn't allowed to turn off lights when sleeping. She and her sister, who was imprisoned together with her, started a hunger strike and were force-fed. All her teeth were pried loose, and her sister's lungs were injured.
Ms. Wang Jinxiang used to be a top-level volleyball coach in China. She was thrown into prison for practicing Falun Gong. She experienced many tortures, including electric shocking and force-feeding. The persecutors deprived her of sleep for days and put heavy objects on her back until her back was deformed. One winter, they turned a fan on her for a whole night. Ms. Wang was injected with some unknown drug in the forced labor camp. She said, “No words can describe how miserable I was after being injected with that drug. Many Falun Dafa practitioners lost their lives because of such injections. Although I survived, my hair turned white. My back is bent. I have to walk slowly and have a very poor memory.”
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Ms. Wang Jinxiang, former top-level volleyball coach in China, gives a speech at rally. |
Ms. Zang, a Falun Dafa practitioner from Daqing, China, came to Canada a year ago. She testified how the CCP persecuted Falun Gong practitioners. Mr. Xu Jishan, a fellow practitioner from her exercise site, was tortured to death in a Daqing Jail. Mr. Wang Bin, a computer engineer at Daqing City Oil Field Exploration and Development Institute, was brutally tortured on September 27, 2000. He sustained a ruptured carotid artery, ruptured blood vessels, and fractures. His tonsils and lymph nodes were ruptured as well. The backs of his hands showed infected cigarette burns. Cigarette butts were inserted into his nose. After he was beaten to death, his organs were removed.
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Ms. Zang (second from right in front row) at rally |
Ms. Zang said, “History tells me the nature of the CCP has never changed. The lesson we learned is that we have to be alert for the CCP's lies at any time and have to be prepared to face the CCP's brutality any time. The CCP has never stopped trampling on human rights. We have to quit the CCP and disintegrate it. It is the only way the Chinese people can gain true human rights and freedom.”
(Clearwisdom.net) On July 9 and 10, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners from Poland gathered in Wroclaw City and introduced Falun Dafa to the local people. Wroclaw is the fourth largest city in southwest Poland. Before World War II, Wroclaw was famous as both a commercial and industrial city as well as a culturally German city.
Whole family members sign the petition to protest the persecution of Falun Gong
Introducing Falun Gong to passersby
A blind man (second from right) signs the petition
Local people sign the petition
In downtown Wroclaw Falun Gong practitioners handed out introductory brochures about Falun Gong to local citizens and tourists passing by, put up exhibition boards, and told the public that Falun Gong practitioners are still being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a horror that began 12 years ago. Several practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, and signature forms were placed on a nearby table.
Many passersby stop to study display boards, read the brochures carefully, or listen to practitioners tell about the ongoing persecution in China. People showed great indignation over the persecution. They signed the petitions to express their concern and say “Stop persecuting Falun Gong!”
When a family passing by found out about the persecution, the parents went straight to the table and signed the petition. The two children in the family asked practitioners, “Can we sign the petition to support Falun Gong like our parents?” When they got confirmation, they neatly and proudly signed the petition like their parents.
Some passersby said that what CCP is doing is incomprehensible. After they finished signing, some still asked, “The music is so peaceful and the exercises are so gentle, how can the CCP brutally persecute practitioners like this?” Someone answered, “I know the Communist Party well, and it never does anything good.”
Some people asked, “How many more signatures do you still need?” and then called on spectators: “Everyone, come here and sign your name! The persecution must end immediately. It cannot be allowed to go on!”
After a blind man heard the facts from a practitioner, he said, “I support you. You are doing the right thing. I want to sign the petition! Would you take me to where I can sign?” The practitioner helped him to the table and gave him a pen. The man asked, “Could you hold my arm, please? Do I sign here? OK, I've signed.”
Although it was hot, practitioners stayed to raise awareness about Falun Dafa. The public offered their support and encouraged the practitioners. Several pedestrians encouraged them, “There should be more activities like yours! Could you hold more activities like this, please?”
(Clearwisdom.net) On July 16, 2011, Saturday, Falun Gong practitioners in the UK came to famous Trafalgar Square in London to commemorate the 12th anniversary of protesting the CCP's persecution. They wanted to help more people learn the facts about Falun Gong, and called on people from all walks of life together to stop the persecution. The event received attention in London, and had a positive response from the general public.
Falun Gong practitioners in the UK demonstrate the Exercises on Trafalgar Square in London and expose the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong
In addition to practitioners, other Falun Gong supporters took part in the event in the rain.
The venue was carefully arranged. A large banner that read “The world needs Truthfulness- Compassion-Forbearance" was set up. Some Falun Gong practitioners in golden costumes demonstrated the five sets of exercises. Nearby was a re-enactment of a CCP black jail exposed the brutal persecution. Around the four top sides of the black jail were banners with the words “Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong, 12 years’ persecution, 3,425 deaths", "Falun Gong Practitioners detained by the CCP are the world's largest number of prisoners of conscience, Two of every three torture cases in China described in a United Nations report are Falun Gong practitioners" and “Conduct public trials of Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, and Zhou Yongkang, the main culprits in the persecution of Falun Gong. " Four Falun Gong practitioners inside the black jail were re-enacting a scene, in which they were tortured by the CCP police.
Near the simulated prison were tall panels on which the names and portraits of Falun Gong practitioners who had been tortured to death were printed. Around four corners of the display panels many white paper lotus flowers were laid. Vivid and rich information about Falun Gong caught people's attention. Many people stopped to watch the demonstration of Falun Gong exercises and the simulated prison, and read the display boards, and many people solemnly signed the petition against the persecution.
People come to learn about Falun Gong
People actively sign the petition against the persecution of Falun Gong
The event started at noon with a press conference. On behalf of the UK Falun Dafa Association, Dr. Li Shao first made a speech, once again calling on the British people to understand the facts about Falun Gong, and to work together to stop the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. He said, "Falun Gong has been persecuted for 12 years. We hope that all governments around the world will help Falun Gong practitioners, so their families can be reunited and they will be able to practice their belief. The CCP authorities must immediately stop the persecution of Falun Gong."
Dr. Shao also welcomed and thanked Western people for their joining the effort of Falun Gong practitioners against the persecution. He said, "If people convey their voices to their governments, this is very important. This is a public event in a public place. People from all walks of life come here. These people will bring this information to their communities to help Falun Gong practitioners to regain their freedom."
MP: Calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong
David Burrows, MP has been supporting Falun Gong practitioners against the persecution for years. He once again wrote a letter showing his support this year. At the press Conference, a Falun Gong practitioner read his letter of support:
“I remain very concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong adherents, which I understand persists in the form of torture and ill-treatment in prisons, detention centres and labour camps. The figure from the United Nations of two out of three victims of persecution being Falun Gong practitioners highlights the targeted nature of these attacks. I join with the Falun Dafa Association in calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong and a respect for the human rights of freedom of belief, expression and association.”
Representative of Christian Solidarity Worldwide: The international community must send out a strong voice
Matthew Jones, speaking at the press conference
Matthew Jones, representative of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a human rights organization supporting religious freedom, also spoke at the press conference. He condemned the CCP for its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other religious groups for such a long time, and pointed out that it should never have happened. He also urged the British people and international community to stop the CCP's trampling of human rights and religious freedom by exerting more pressure on the CCP.
He said, "Today, I urge Londoners, whether public or politicians and media people, to learn more about the real situation of China. If they understand the situation Falun Gong practitioners, Christians and others in China are in, I think that putting international pressure on the CCP will get more and wider support. The International community, including the UK, must also send out a strong voice, to make the CCP realize that what it does is not acceptable, it is in violation of the relevant international legal commitments that China should comply with, and the persecution must stop. Today, we want to send out a powerful message to the CCP authorities that the state of the (persecution of religious freedom) in China cannot go on, and the CCP must respect the rights of religious belief of every Chinese citizen."
A Gardener in London: I know communism is just like that--to commit wrongdoing.
Jason Smith is a simple gardener in London
Jason Smith, who lives not far from London, is a simple gardener. He had learned briefly about Falun Gong being persecuted by the CCP. This time he carefully read every Falun Gong information panel. He said: “ I don’t understand why they’re doing it, but I know communism is just like that-- to commit wrongdoing.People should know and be aware of what’s going on. Sign the petition and spread the word to help stop the persecution. Your event on Trafalgar Square is pretty good. This will get the message across.”
A Scottish citizen: It’s going on for more than 12 years
David Simpson is a Scottish citizen who has been teaching English literature in France for 30 years. Together with Ms Catherine Upjohn, he recently returned and visited his family in Cambridge, UK. They saw the Falun Gong practitioners’ activity against the persecution before. Immediately, they both signed the petition and thought that the event being held at such a place of interest as Trafalgar Square was pretty good.
Mr. Simpson said,: “It’s been going on for more than 12 years. In fact, in my mind, it’s not just Falun Gong, but the whole people. It’s been 60 years at least. It’s a question of courage, political courage, for the western governments. We are aware that they are making deals and treaties on economic levels with governments that don’t deserve it. It’s the government that doesn’t deserve it, not the people.”
An Australian undergraduate student: I can’t believe it’s happening.
Cathy Hamilton working in the UK now is an Australian undergraduate student majoring in business management. This is the first time for her to come across Falun Gong at Trafalgar Square. She watched the demonstration of Falun Gong exercises and the re-enactment of CCP torture methods used in the persecution carefully for a long while.
She said that she was shocked at the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. She said: “Seeing this and listening to everybody, it breaks my heart. I can’t believe it’s happening. I’m shocked. It’s 2011, you are thinking that things like this have come to justice by now. I’m shocked that it’s still going on. People are just trying to benefit themselves to do meditation, but they are being persecuted. It’s so sad.”
An Algerian: The whole world needs to know about it (organ harvesting) and is should be sorted out immediately.
Amil Boudiaf , an Algerian living in London
After reading the Falun Gong information panels, Amil Boudiaf, an Algerian living in London, felt very sad. He came up to a Falun Gong practitioner distributing flyers to express his strong feelings. He thinks that the CCP has committed crimes against humanity.
He said: “Really shocked, I feel like I want to cry for these people. It’s very shocking to see people being tortured for freedom. This is very wrong. On the other side of the world, you cannot say what you think, because you are scared. The persecution has been 12 years, which is really long.”
He added: “I don’t understand why the government tortures people and what they kill people for. I’m not a Chinese, but I'd love to help. If there is anything I can do, I’ll do it, because we are human beings. The whole world will have to help. The whole world needs to know about it (organ harvesting) and is should be sorted out immediately. It’s a crime against humanity. It’s the whole world’s concern, not just about the Chinese. There is no way we can wait. Something is very wrong. If there is anyone believing in humanity, please come to Trafalgar Square and sign the petition supporting Falun Gong practitioners. It won’t cost you anything but will help them for their freedom. ”
On July 20, 1999, the CCP launched the persecution of Falun Gong, and it has become a most serious crime against humanity. Falun Gong practitioners around the world protest against the persecution and spread the facts. More and more people from the international community have begun to understand the facts about Falun Gong and the CCP's nature, and are actively joining the efforts of Falun Gong practitioners against the persecution.
(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of July 19, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners in Vancouver held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate to commemorate fellow practitioners who have been tortured to death by the Communist regime. The practitioners, holding portraits of fellow practitioners and candles, sat in a line several hundred feet long, catching the attention of passersby and reminding people of the ongoing 12-year-long persecution in China.
On the evening of July 19, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners in Vancouver held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate
Song Chen was shocked with 28 electric batons in a labor camp in China
Song Chen, from Shenyang, who was shocked with 28 electric batons at the same time by guards in a labor camp in China, felt sorrow in front of the Chinese Consulate. He said, “This is a portrait of Li Xiaoyuan on the wreath I am holding, a fellow practitioner I knew very well. We used to work together. We went to Beijing to appeal together after the persecution started and were imprisoned in the same labor camp. He was later tortured to death in Changdu Forced Labor Camp in Liaoning Province.”
He said he would continue to explain the facts the people, call for an end to the persecution, and save more people in this environment of freedom.
Mr. Zhang was arrested 11 times and imprisoned many times in China for practicing Falun Gong. He said, “I was detained for seven months twice. I suffered from torture, including having my head covered with a plastic bag, being burnt with cigarettes, electric shocks, etc. Many practitioners are still imprisoned in China and face the threat of losing their lives. Among the practitioners I know, more than 20 have been tortured to death.”
Facing such brutal persecution, Falun Gong practitioners do not compromise. They know the CCP’s true nature and maintain their steadfast belief. Mr. Zhang said, “In 15 years of practicing Falun Gong, I have never given up my belief in Truth-Compassion-Forbearance.”
Mr. Liu and his wife and daughter went to the Chinese Consulate to participate in the event after work. He said, “We commemorate fellow practitioners tortured to death in China. It has significant meaning. Falun Gong practitioners are upholding the truth though many practitioners have been tortured to death.”
Young Falun Dafa practitioners at the vigil
The candlelight vigil caught the attention of drivers and passengers in the passing vehicles. Many drivers honked their horns to greet the practitioners. Some stopped to learn more.
Fraser Clarke heard about the event from his girlfriend and made it a point to come. He said that tragedies that should not happen repeat in history. A few of his friends went to China on a tour and found that Internet searches using the keyword “democracy” were blocked. He felt the CCP’s information blockade is foolish.
Grant Forbes passed by the consulate, saw the candlelight vigil, and stopped. He walked across the street and took a few photos. He stayed for a while, reluctant to leave.
He said he had heard about Falun Gong and was touched to see the candlelight vigil. He wished to do something for Falun Gong and said he would write to media outlets to call for an end to the persecution in China.
Eldia Aligat from the Philippines passed by the consulate and saw the event. She said, “Belief is worth upholding. The CCP has many human rights issues. It persecutes many organizations and groups.”
Some people said they would learn more about Falun Gong online after returning home.
(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of July 20, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners in Singapore gathered in Hong Lim Park to commemorate those fellow practitioners who were tortured to death by the Chinese Communist Party. They also called for help to stop the outrage perpetuated by the CCP.
In the evening, the practitioners lit candles and held wreaths and portraits of fellow practitioners who were tortured to death by the CCP.
Singapore practitioners' ceremony in Hong Lim Park
Dr. Huang, Chairman of the Singapore Falun Dafa Association, said during an interview, “For 12 years, facing brutal persecution, Falun Gong practitioners have peacefully protested the persecution. It is the perpetrators who are committing the crime of genocide that will be tired in the court of history.”
The solemn scene caught the attention of many passerby. Some accepted flyers, some asked for more information, while others took photos. One lady said that it was the first time she had heard of Falun Gong. She said after learning about the persecution, “Such an event is meaningful. More people should know about the persecution. Modern people pursue material things. This is a moving event that appeals to a person’s conscience.”
Singapore practitioners' commemoration activity in Hong Lim Park
Before the event, passersby listen to a practitioner’s explanation
July 20 is a special day. On that day 12 years ago, Jiang Zemin, the then head of the CCP, initiated the persecution of Falun Gong. Tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have since been brutally persecuted. It has been documented that at least 3428 Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured to death. Falun Gong practitioners across the world started truth-clarification activities to stop the persecution and call for an awareness of conscience.
(Clearwisdom.net) On July 20, 2011, in Vienna, Austria, Falun Gong practitioners held an information day in front of the United Nations (UN), to expose the CCP's atrocities in the 12-year-long brutal persecution of Falun Gong. They also called on people from all walks of life to help stop this crime against humanity.
Falun Gong practitioners hold an information day in front of the UN, Vienna
Practitioners are displaying photos about Falun Gong in front of the UN in Vienna
Falun Gong practitioners hold an information day in front of the UN, Vienna
The event started at 7:00 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. The practitioners erected an information tent in front of the UN. Western Falun Gong practitioners sang songs such as "Falun Dafa is Great" and "Be Saved", which caught the attention many people. One woman said that she would like to buy a music CD. In front of display panels, a demonstration of Falun Gong exercises drew the attention of passers-by. Staff from the UN stopped to watch. During the time coming to work in the morning and leaving after work, many UN staffers received informational materials distributed by Falun Gong practitioners.
A practitioner is singing Falun Dafa is Great.
A young engineer from a Middle East country was so drawn to this peaceful exercise that he took a lot of pictures. On learning the fact that Falun Gong practitioners are being persecuted by the CCP, he said that he had known about the Communist Party dictatorship for a long time, and he would tell his friends working for the UN about the persecution. Before leaving, he encouraged the practitioners, "You will succeed!"
Passers-by carefully reading information panels about Falun Gong
Signing the petition supporting Falun Gong against the persecution
A practitioner is explaining the facts to a passer-by
Predestined people want to learn Falun Gong
Having carefully viewed all pictures on the information panels, a lady who used to work at a university told a Falun Gong practitioner that she and her husband loved Chinese traditional culture and had also practiced some forms of Qigong. While watching the demonstration of Falun Gong exercises, she was saying with a sad heart: “I cannot imagine people practicing such peaceful and beautiful exercises being persecuted." She expressed her wish that she wanted to learn Falun Gong. After finding out about the practice site in Vienna, she left with satisfaction.
Support from politicians
Some Austrian MPs sent letters to the Austria Falun Dafa Association condemning the CCP's persecution and supporting Falun Gong.
Judith Schwentner, MP and spokesperson for Green Party on the policy of assistance to developing countries and women's issues, wrote a letter to the Austria Falun Dafa Association in which she stated: "Falun Gong practitioners are still being persecuted and many of them have been detained in labor camps or sentenced. If a human rights lawyer defends Falun Gong practitioners, he or she will be particularly threatened. In the past few years, Green Party has repeatedly stated and strongly condemned these human rights abuses. "
Petra Bayr, MP and the spokesman for the Social Democratic Party on global economic development issues wrote a letter, stating: "Human rights also include social and cultural rights, so it is particularly important to value different cultural characters and give them appropriate space."
Ewald Sacher, MP also wrote a letter stating: “Involving China, it has been very important to point out and condemn the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. In China, these practitioners who have been threatened and persecuted should have the fundamental right of being protected. "
(Clearwisdom) On July 16, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners in Ireland rallied and paraded in Dublin, calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong that begin in China on July 20, 1999. The activity was actively supported by people from all walks of life. Participants condemned the Chinese Communist Party's brutal persecution and called for worldwide awareness to help end it at once.
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Falun Gong parade in Dublin, Ireland
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A live organ harvesting reenactment passes Chinatown in Dublin
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Reading a flyer about Falun Gong
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Dáil Éireann Member Ms. Maureen O'Sullivan spoke at the rally
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A representative from “Friends of Falun Gong”
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A Falun Gong representative
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Falun Gong practitioner Liu Feng told of his own experience of being tortured in a forced labor camp in China.
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Falun Gong exercise demonstration.
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Commemorating fellow Falun Gong practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution |
Elected officials attended the rally in person or sent letters of support for Falun Gong practitioners' endeavors to end the persecution. Many people observed the rally and many signed their names on a petition calling for an end to the persecution. Some watched the exercise demonstration and asked for information to learn the exercises. Many people also offered to help to end the persecution.
(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners in the Selangor area, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy at 6:30 p.m. on July 20, 2001, to protest the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) brutal persecution over the past 12 years and to call for international society to work together to end this unprecedented human rights catastrophe.
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It was rush hour in Kuala Lumpur. Falun Gong practitioners, dressed in white and holding wreaths and candles, unfolded a banner stating “Immediately Stop the 12-Year-Long Genocidal Persecution.” The somber scene caught the attention of passersby. The police were also handed truth-clarification materials by the practitioners.
Ever since the brutal persecution was launched by Jiang Zemin's regime on July 20, 1999, 3428 confirmed deaths have been reported on the Minghui/Clearwisdom website. The actual number of victims far exceeds the number confirmed deaths. Practitioners around the world hold activities on July 20 every year to protest the persectuion.
Ms. Yang, a practitioner from China, said, “What we are against is not China but the CCP, because the CCP not only persecutes Falun Gong, but also people of other faiths, the traditional culture, social justice, and one's conscience.”
Twelve years have passed since the CCP decided to try to wipe out Falun Gong. Falun Gong has been embraced in more than one hundred countries around the world. In the face of this persecution, practitioners in China and overseas have been clarifying the truth of Falun Gong with great compassion. More and more people have learned the benefits of Falun Gong.
(Clearwisdom.net) Ever since the Chinese Communist Party and its then leader Jiang Zemin started the nationwide persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999, Houston practitioners have staged a protest to remember that day each year in front of the Chinese Consulate. On the night of July 19, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners again gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate to send forth righteous thoughts, do the Falun Gong exercises, and hold a candlelight vigil to commemorate fellow practitioners who have died in the 12-year-long persecution.
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Falun Gong practitioners protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Houston, Texas |
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Young Falun Gong practitioners doing the exercises |
(Clearwisdom.net) On the afternoon of July 20, 2011, Ukraine Falun Gong practitioners held activities in front of the Chinese Embassy in the capital city of Kiev to protest the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of the practice.
Ukraine Falun Gong practitioners protest the CCP persecution in front of the Chinese Embassy
Several practitioners stood in rows and demonstrated the five graceful Falun Gong exercises on the sidewalk across from the Chinese Embassy. Other practitioners exposed the CCP's atrocities by re-enacting CCP forms of torture. Many passersby signed to support Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to end the persecution.
Unlike in previous years, many Ukraine official media reported this year's event. During an interview, the reporters were touched by Falun Gong practitioners' great compassion and tolerance. Some of of them signed the petition to support practitioners' endeavors to stop the persecution at the end of the interview.
Signing the petition to support practitioners' efforts to end the persecution
During the event, a few staff members from the Chinese Embassy came out to take photos of the banners the Falun Gong practitioners were holding. A Chinese practitioner greeted them and asked to talk with them, but the Embassy officials refused. Then the practitioner said to them, “All Chinese people know that Falun Dafa is good!”
(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of July 20, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners went to Bürkli Platz in Zurich, Switzerland, to commemorate the practitioners tortured to death in China. They held banners exposing CCP persecution and lit candles. They wanted more people to pay attention to the issue to help stop the brutal persecution.
Candlelight vigil
Banners and photos describing the CCP persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China
Tourists read the banners
More than 3000 Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured to death in the 12-year-long persecution.
Each sheet represents one practitioner who was tortured to death by the CCP
In the evening, Swiss TV evening news covered a similar event held in Hong Kong, marking the 12-year-long ongoing persecution. The news reported that based on human rights organizations, tens of thousands of practitioners are imprisoned in forced labor camps and prisons and more than 3000 have lost their lives.
(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners in Montreal, Canada, gathered in Zhongshan Park in Chinatown on the evening of July 19, 2011, to mourn their fellow practitioners who have died in the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) persecution. They called for people to join the effort to end the brutal persecution, which has been going on for the past 12 years.
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Practitioners' group exercise from 6 to 8 p.m. attracted passersby, many of whom wanted to learn the exercises.
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Sandoval heard about Falun Gong from her friend and went to the candlelight vigil. She imitated Falun Gong practitioners to do the exercises and felt warm energy on her arms and very comfortable overall. She couldn't help her tears from falling. She said she would definitely learn more about Falun Gong.
It was the first time Natasha had heard about Falun Gong, but she felt so great when she saw the practitioners that she wanted to learn. She said she wanted to bring her husband to join the group exercise on Saturday.
When it turned dark, practitioners lit candles and started the solemn vigil. The music they played, “Candlelight” and “Please Sit Next to Me,” touched people's hearts. Many stopped to listen to the music and observe the vigil.
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Practitioners held up candles and placed the names of persecution victims in front of them. Passersby were shocked by the brutality of the persecution and signed a petition calling for an end to the persecution.
One gentleman studied the photo display for a long time. He said, “It is terrible! No, No, No, we can't let it continue. We must not. People have the right to make choices for their own lives. Seeing this (the torture), we know we need to work together to stop it.”
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Mr. Jing from China said he heard about the CCP persecution of Falun Gong eight or nine years ago. “It is shocking this persecution is still going on,” he said. “The CCP is the root of the evil in the land of China. All wicked doings can be traced back to the CCP.” He announced his withdrawal from the CCP right away.
After seeing pictures of how the CCP has persecuted the Chinese people over the past 60 years, a young man from China said, “You can't see this in China. I didn't know this until I came abroad. It is so cruel! It shouldn't happen!” He was shocked by the pictures of Falun Gong practitioners who were tortured. After hearing about the CCP's crime of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners, he quit the CCP right away.
An elderly lady from China was deeply touched by the candlelight vigil. She said she knew some Falun Gong practitioners and learned about the persecution when she was in China. She said she wanted to quit the CCP organizations she had previously joined.
Mr. Xu from New York accepted truth-clarification materials from Falun Gong practitioners and told the reporter, “I heard about Falun Gong a long time ago. I support Falun Gong!” Hearing that Falun Gong has been persecuted for the past 12 years, he said, “Down with the CCP!”
(Clearwisdom.net) The Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance International Art Exhibition was held in Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand, from July 12 to July 17, 2011. The Thai had high praise for the artwork.
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Siam Paragon is one of the largest shopping centers in Asia and considered the pride of Bankok. The international art exhibition was held in Life Style Hall on the second floor of Siam Paragon. Twenty-five artworks showed how Falun Gong changed people's lives and attitudes and depicted practitioners' unyielding spirit in the face of brutal persecution.
Organizers of the exhibition guided visitors with detailed information and introduced them to Falun Gong's principles. The exhibition attracted many people who were very touched by the artwork.
Shutoon said the artwork was beautiful and touching. After seeing the exhibit he understood what true art was and also learned the facts about Falun Gong and the persecution. He wanted to pay a most sincere tribute to the artists.
Taucal, a physician, said, “Thanks for the information the exhibition provided! I'm saddened to see the persecution of Falun Gong. I'm very touched by your spirit. I wish you great success!”
A college student said the artwork showing angels and meditation made him feel peaceful and happy. “Nobody should be tortured for his belief,” he commented.
Some of the visitors became interested in Falun Dafa and wanted to learn it.
A continuous stream of visitors viewed the exhibition. They were moved by the beautiful artwork and shocked by the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. This great exhibition brought the Thai important information about the persecution, as well as Falun Gong's unyielding spirit.
(Clearwisdom.net) After falling from a six-story-high overpass, 56-year-old Ms. Wang Ke was paralyzed. Her injuries were so severe that the hospital could do little for her. However, shortly after she started practicing Falun Gong, she was healed. When the Chinese Communist Party began its campaign of persecution against Falun Gong in July 1999, she remained steadfast in her convictions and continued clarifying the truth.
Almost Paralyzed after Falling off an Overpass, Practicing Falun Gong Leads to a Miraculous Recovery
In May 1995, Ms. Wang Ke slipped and fell from a six-story-high overpass. She lost consciousness instantly when she hit the ground. A passerby found her and she was taken to the Fushen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The doctors examined her and determined that she had fractured her 12th thoracic vertebrae, pelvic bone, coccyx and sternum. Her chest cavity was also filled with blood. Her days in the hospital were sleepless and she was continually in extreme pain. She couldn't sit or stand. After one month of hospitalization, her family had exhausted their savings, and they had to take Ms. Wang home.
Back home, Ms. Wang still suffered horribly. She was in pain all over her body, like someone had put pins and needles in her legs. The pain she felt was truly beyond words. She was told that having surgery to correct some of her issues might result in her right leg being paralyzed, so she declined the surgery. However as time went on, her bones grew “bumps” (also called bone proliferations) and her right leg muscles started to atrophy.
In an attempt to heal herself, she tried several kinds of qigong but with no noticeable results. Then one of her relatives told her about Falun Gong, and that as long as she studied wholeheartedly, her injuries would be healed. Ms. Wang already knew of another Falun Gong practitioner who lived near Fushin Railway Station, so she went to visit. She listened to Teacher's lectures at the practitioner's home and felt very good.
Ms. Wang began to learn Falun Gong in June 1996. Within two months, she had almost completely recovered. She was able to purchase paint cans and carry them upstairs. She also found that she could paint the walls by herself. Ms. Wang was very excited with her progress. Not too long before, she was faced with the prospect of eventually being paralyzed, according to the hospital. But now all her symptoms had disappeared after only two months of practicing Falun Gong.
Ms. Wang Arrested Shortly After the Nationwide Persecution Begins
In September 1999, many practitioners went to Fushun Children's Park to do all five sets of the Falun Gong exercises to show the beauty of the practice. Ms. Wang went together with several other practitioners. They started practicing at 5:00 a.m. Shortly after they finished the exercises, police officers rushed out and shoved several of the practitioners into police cars. They were held at Yongantai Police Station in Fushun City. Ms. Wang was detained there for about a half month. Her family managed to bail her out after handing over a large sum of money.
Detained at the Fushun Forced Labor Camp
In July 2000, Officer Pang from the Zhanqian Police Station, Fushun City asked Ms. Wang to come to the police station because he wanted to speak with her. When Ms. Wang arrived at Zhanqian Police Station, Officer Pang told her to go to Qianjin Police Station. When she did, she was detained and sent to the Fushun Forced Labor Camp.
At the forced labor camp, Ms. Wang Ke felt very uncomfortable. She was in bed every day and eventually went on a hunger strike to protest her treatment. She was sentenced to one year of forced labor and sent to Ziqiang School. Two weeks after her arrival at the forced labor camp, she was released because of her poor health.
Detained at the Fushun Detention Center for Going to Beijing to Appeal
In April or May 2001, Ms. Wang Ke went to Beijing to appeal. She was detained by a policeman from Fushun near Tiananmen Square. The policeman asked Ms. Wang where she was from. She replied that she was from Fushun and was there to appeal for Falun Gong. She took out a letter and handed it to the policeman. The letter stated that Ms. Wang had recovered from paralysis after practicing Falun Gong. Ms. Wang was taken to the Fushun City Beijing Office. The following day, she was sent back to Fushun and detained at the Fushun Detention Center.
Ms. Wang experienced pain all over her body after she was put in the detention center. One guard dragged her to the hospital to have her checked out. At the time, she was still on a hunger strike. The examination showed that Ms. Wang's health was not suitable for detention so she was released three days after getting there.
Arrested in Beijing and Taken Back to Fushun Again
In April 2002, the home of practitioner Ms. Jiang Jie was ransacked. Ms. Wang Ke often talked to Ms. Jiang and her husband by phone, so it was likely that the police acquired Ms. Jiang's phone number through her. Ms. Jiang was in Beijing at the time her home was ransacked.
The police from Fushun City's 610 Office and the Fushun City Police Department sent three police cars to Beijing. Together with police from the Fangzhuang Office in Beijing they found Ms. Wang in her residence and escorted her back to Fushun Forced Labor Camp. She began another hunger strike to protest the detention. However, a guard shocked Ms. Wang's mouth and face with electric batons and forced her to balance a stool on her head. Another guard told Ms. Wang, “You must eat. If you eat you can practice the exercises. However, only do the exercises when the guard who shocked you with the electric baton isn't here.”
Later, Ms. Wang Ke's family brought her back home.
Detained at Xinhua Police Station
Sometime before October 1, 2010, Ms. Wang Ke and another local practitioner, Ms. Xu Jun, went to a building next to Xinhua Police Station to put up some posters clarifying the facts about Falun Gong but were discovered, and detained at Fushun Detention Center.
During their time in the detention center, Ms. Wang Ke was shivering uncontrollably. The guards in the detention center dragged her to the hospital for a checkup. Since her condition was not deemed suitable for detention, they had to release her.
(Clearwisdom.net) A four-story building in Banqiao Village, Wuchang District of Wuhan City is on a property surrounded by walls with a metal gate. While there is no name-plate on the gate, the wall beside the gate has the words “Hubei Province Law Education Center” on it. This is a Brainwashing Center. Farmers nearby often hear miserable cries from people being tortured inside the building at night.
Hubei Province Brainwashing Center
At least 19 Falun Gong practitioners were arrested in Wuhan City between April 19 and May 5, 2011: Ms. Xia Yang and Ms. Zhou Chunlian from Qingshan District; Mr. Feng Zhen, Mr. Feng Yun (Feng Zhen's younger brother), Li Guohua, Xiong Weiming, Mr. Li Huosheng, Ms. Han Shuhua, Ms. Tian Xier, Mr. Fu Guoqi, Ms. Cai Xiuying, Mr. Zhu Hanbin, Ms. Wang Junyu, Mr. Zhao Kenan, and Ms. Duan Xiaoxian from Wuchang District; and Ms. Wang Hongyu, Mr. Zhang Su, Ms. Cheng Jin and Mr. Zhang Weijie from Hankou District. Some of their whereabouts are still unknown as of June 13.
The family members of the illegally arrested practitioners haven't yet received any legal documents. When they went to inquire at the Huwan City Police Department they were only told the clothes they wanted to send the practitioners could be passed on, but they were not told where the practitioners were detained.
When some family members found out the location of the brainwashing center and came to the center to inquire, the guard at the gate would not let them in. But the family members recognized some names of 610 Office staff from the visitor registration book at the gate and asked the guard who was detained inside. The guard said it was a secret unit, and the phone number was also non-public.
A reliable source has informed us that the missing practitioners have been detained at this location and have suffered from torture. Ms. Zhou Ailing, an employee from the Qiaokou District Industrial and Commercial Bureau suffered a beating at the hands of guard Jiang, making her face swollen. Several guards, ordered by their superior Liu Cheng, held Mr. Zhang Su on the ground and beat him until he was unable to stand up.
Torture re-enactment: Brutal beating
More than 1,000 people have been detained and mistreated at this brainwashing center. According to a Hubei Province "610 Office" regulation, forced brainwashing is permitted, and this has produced perpetrators with offers of high salary, bonuses, and promotions. The abuse in the brainwashing center is rampant. The following are a few examples:
1. Ms. Liu Limin
Ms. Liu Limin was a staff member of the Hubei Province Disabled Association. She was detained in the Hewan Forced Labor Camp in Wuhan City for one and a half years, and was put in forced labor again in June 2010. While there she was tortured with beatings, standing for extended periods, sleep deprivation, not being given any food, and solitary confinement. After serving the term, she was not released and instead was immediately sent to the Hubei Brainwashing Center. She was again deprived of sleep, and forced to stand for long periods. Ms. Liu was also force-fed and shocked with electric batons, leaving bruises. She had difficulty straightening her back when walking and was so weak her eyesight deteriorated considerably.
Torture re-enactment: Shocking with electric batons
2. Mr. Zhang Sifeng
Mr. Zhang Sifeng, over 50, was an employee at Huhan City Huyuan Power Project Limited. He was arrested on September 6, 2010 and was mistreated for nearly three months in the brainwashing center.
Mr. Zhang was first detained alone and monitored by nearly 20 collaborators. He began a hunger strike to protest. On the eighth day of his hunger strike he was subjected to brutal force-feeding. Several guards held him down, while a nurse named Wang tried to insert a tube into his trachea through his throat. The tube was purposely held still when passing through his throat near his windpipe, making him unable to breathe and nearly suffocating him. Then the tube was purposely pulled up and down many times until it showed blood.
Mr. Zhang was not allowed to sleep at night. He was forced to stand for long periods each day for over two months, disabling his ability to walk or to straighten his back. He was forced to stand even during his eight day hunger strike.
3. Ms. Wang Xiaoming
Ms. Wang Xiaoming, a dentist in Wuhan City, was arrested on July 6, 2010 and sent to the brainwashing center. She was mistreated for nearly four months. Police kicked her during her arrest, injuring her feet. They were so swollen that she was even unable to wear slippers. In the brainwashing center Wang was forced to stand in a corner and would beat her if she moved a little bit. She was not allowed to drink fluids or go to the restroom, was forbidden to lean against a wall or desk, and was not even allowed to wipe away her sweat.
One night female guard Jiang slapped her face multiple times. The following night guard Jiang and a male guard named Dong beat her. One held her hair, and the other beat her. They put the leg of a metal stool on Wang's toe and then guard Dang (weighing over 90kg) jumped up and sat down on the stool. Dang viciously smiled and said, "I will make sure no injury can be detected."
4. Mr. Dai Congli
Mr. Dai Congli, nearly 60, is from Macheng City, Hubei Province. He was arrested and taken to the Hubei Brainwashing Center in August 2007. Division head Gong Jian and his team tortured him for 43 days. He was forced to stand long hours per day, for 35 days. He was deprived of food, sleep and restroom use. He was tortured with scalding hot water, burned with cigarette butts, poked with the stick end of a mop, and was kicked and beaten. One of his front teeth was broken while being beaten by guard Gong Jian.
The abuse caused Mr. Dai severe memory loss, his hair to turn white, and to be covered in bruises and scars. He was later sent to the No. 9 Division of the Shayang Forced Labor Camp. At his release two years later the scars were still clearly visible.
Hubei Brainwashing Center sessions last 45 days, and another one follows on the heels of the one just finished. The physical torture usually starts around the middle of the session. Then the practitioner is held for another period before their release, making it more difficult it to see any obvious signs of injury.
5. Detaining Falun Gong practitioners under the guise of "education"
Hubei Province Brainwashing Center was founded in 2002. The roster of the first group of detainees - Falun Gong practitioners - is listed in the "2002 Document No. 6" at the Hubei Province 610 Office.
The first death of a practitioner in this brainwashing center occurred in July 2002. Ms. Wang Haoyun, an employee of Huazhong Normal University was held at the center for over a month. She was scalded with hot water, beaten every day, and was forced to undergo brainwashing 17-18 hours a day.
In April 2009 the center moved to its current location and occupies about one and 2/3 acres. The cost to build the center was over 70 million yuan (about $10 million U.S.). The second floor is where Falun Gong practitioners are tortured.
6. Guilty personnel in the Hubei Brainwashing Center
There are four types of staff members -- officers, instructors, assistant instructors and guards. The officers are cadres that come from the 610 Office, labor camps, or prisons. Instructors are hired from among society. Assisting instructors are former Falun Gong practitioners who have gone astray. The guards are temporary, from different police schools.
Zhang Xingfu was the first head of Hubei Brainwashing Center. He was the previous Party committee head from Shayang Forced Labor Camp. Many practitioners were tortured, disabled and some were killed in Shayang Forced Labor Camp. A number of the staff at the Hubei Brainwashing Center are from Shayang.
Zhou Suiqing is the current brainwashing center head, and Zhang Xiuming is the deputy head. Zhang Xiuming is primarily responsible for the disability of practitioner Mr. Li Binghua from Tianmen.
Other key members are division head Gong Jian, deputy division head Bi Huiqiong (female), team head Liu Cheng, and He Wei. They used to carry out persecutory acts at the Shayang Forced Labor Camp.
Hubei Brainwashing Center: 86-27-87924873
Name: Chen Binli (陈宾利)
Gender: Male
Age: Unknown
Address: Fushun City, Liaoning Province
Occupation: Former employee at No. 6409 Factory
Date of Most Recent Arrest: October 25, 2003
Most Recent Place of Detention: Panjin Prison (盘锦监狱)
City: Fushun
Province: Liaoning
Persecution Suffered: Electric shock, sleep deprivation,
forced labor, brainwashing, illegal sentencing, beatings,
imprisonment, torture, force-feedings, physical restraint,
detention, denial of restroom use
(Clearwisdom.net) Mr. Chen Binli, a Falun Gong practitioner in Fushun City, has been persecuted repeatedly by communist regime agents at various levels over the past 10 years. He was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment in March 2004 and was severely tortured. In August 2006, he was shocked with five electric batons simultaneously in Panjin Prison. Guards brutally beat him in July 2010, shouting that they would torture him to the extreme as long as he remained alive.
Torture re-enactment: Shocking with electric batons
Sent to a Labor Camp after Appealing in Beijing
Mr. Chen went to Beijing to appeal on October 3, 2000. Police stopped him at a subway entrance near Beijing Train Station. Through checking ID cards, they discovered he was a Falun Gong practitioner. Agents searched and handcuffed him. An hour later, he was taken to Fushun City Liaison Office in Beijing.
The next day, Fu Keming, a police officer from Fudong Police Station in Fushun City, and Guo Qing, the Party head at Mr. Chen's workplace, picked up Mr. Chen, took him back to Fushun City, and held him in the Shizhilou Detention Center. They transferred him to Fushun Forced Labor Camp 15 days later for a term of two years.
After Mr. Chen arrived at the labor camp, he was detained in the New Detainees Unit for more than 20 days. Because he would not give up his belief, inmate Zhao Si restricted his access to the toilet and forced him into the “Airplane Flying” position where the victim has to stand with his head dropped and back against the wall and both hands up behind and touching the wall.
A month later, Mr. Chen was transferred to the male division. Guards ordered collaborators to brainwash him, and he was mentally unprepared to deal with it. He was confused and gave up his belief temporarily, leaving a stain on his cultivation.
Arrested Again and Detained and Tortured at Fushun Detention Center
Wu Shen, the Fudong Police Station head, and Jia, Armed Forces head of the No. 6409 Factory, arrested Mr. Chen on October 25, 2003, when he distributed truth-clarification materials in public in Fushun City.
Later that day, Mr. Chen was sent to the Nangou Detention Center, where he was forced to do heavy labor. He had to work at least 12 hours a day, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and sometimes even longer. Because he did the Falun Gong exercises, inmates forced him to squat down for a long time and kicked him in the back with the heels of their boots. Court officials secretly sentenced him to seven years of imprisonment in March 2004.
Tortured in Prison
Mr. Chen was put in Shenyang Prison on July 7, 2004, with his hands cuffed and feet chained. He was assigned to Division 1, where he was forced to produce a large number of hand-made products every day. Anyone who could not finish the assignment was humiliated, beaten, and shocked with electric batons.
Mr. Chen was then transferred to Panjin Prison on August 6, 2004, where he was tortured for six years and two months.
1. Electronically Shocked While Bound to a Tiger Bench
When Mr. Chen refused to work on May 3, he was put in solitary confinement and bound to an iron bench. Wu Fenggang, prison affairs section head; officer Zang; and Yang, a guard, shocked him for about half-an-hour with electric batons.
The next morning, Wu used two electronic batons and continued to shock Mr. Chen. The electrical charge was depleted after three and a half hours of torture. Many areas of his body were full of blisters, including his head, ears, neck, hands, and inner thighs. His neck was severely swollen, and he could barely raise his head.
Mr. Chen went on a hunger strike in April 2006. Prison doctors Yu Jingshu and Liu, with the help of several inmates, bound him to a Tiger Bench and held his head to force-feed him through his mouth. He went on a hunger strike for 19 days.
When he refused to work in August 2006, guards tied him to the Tiger Bench again to shock him. Division head Zhang Guolin and four guards shocked him with five electric batons. The next day, Wu Fenggang brought two more electric batons to shock him. The guards bound Mr. Chen to a Tiger Bench for three days and sent him to the prison clinic for a 40-day-long force-feeding. He was taken back to Division 1 on September 30.
Painting: Tiger Bench
2. Watched by Inmates at All Times
Since Mr. Chen was transferred to Panjin Prison, two assigned inmates have watched him all the time. Especially before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he was watched 24 hours a day, including while he ate, slept, washed, and used the toilet.
3. Opposing the Slave Labor
Around the 2008 New Year, many practitioners, including Mr. Chen, refused to do the slave labor. On April 2, these practitioners were taken to the duty office one by one. Zhang Guolin and eight guards ordered them to resume doing the slave labor, threatening them that they would be shocked with electric batons if they didn't. Mr. Chen’s hands were handcuffed behind his back, and three guards shocked him until he agreed to work.
This torture lasted three days, and a total of 11 practitioners suffered from it. The guards used more than 10 electronic batons to shock these practitioners, and they re-charged the batons again and again. Two practitioners, Mr. Zhang Zhenxue and Mr. Liu Litao (43 years old, from Jinzhou City) did not yield, even after being tortured for a long time. The guards brutally beat them while shocking them. Mr. Zhang’s face was a mess, but guards still tortured him for more than three hours. Before the guards went home at end of the day, they handcuffed him to a heating pipe and forced him to stand there overnight. They then shocked Mr. Liu the next day. After seeing him refuse to yield, guards told prison doctor Yu Jingshu to insert needles at acupuncture points, and they connected the needles to electricity to shock him. The feet of Jiang Bo, a 43-year-old practitioner from Dalian City, were severely swollen and the inflammation resulted in a deep hole the size of a thumb. Because of being electrically shocked, Zhang Ke's (49 years old, from Shenyang City) back was full of brown bruises, and they have not faded even after a year.
4. Brutally Beaten and Electrically Shocked for Doing the Exercises and Refusing to Wear the Inmate Badge
In August 2009 the head of Division 1, Guan Fengchun, asked the inmates who watched Mr. Chen and other practitioners if the practitioners did the exercises. After hearing that they did, Guan slapped each of them in the face. Guan then asked Mr. Chen if he did the exercises. After Mr. Chen said that he did, Guan punched him in the face. Mr. Chen fell down; he was punched again after standing up.
Wang Xiaoqiang, a supervisor, brutally beat Mr. Chen in July 2010 for refusing to wear the inmate badge. When Mr. Chen went to bathroom without asking for permission in August 2010, Wang again brutally beat him.
Mr. Chen wrote a statement in September 2010 to share his understanding of Falun Gong. Team leader Yu Zhicheng beat him and swore at him. Afterwards Mr. Chen had congestion in his right eye for several days.
5. Numerous Beatings and Attempts to Transform Mr. Chen's Beliefs
Mr. Chen was beaten by team leader Li Zuolong at the labor site in 2004 and beaten again by deputy leader Xie Jiangang.
Torture demo: Brutal beating
Between January 2010 and October 2010, guards threatened Mr. Chen many times. They said if he did not give in, he would not be allowed to return home even after his term expired; he would be sent directly to a brainwashing center and could be detained there forever.
Mr. Chen's term expired on October 28, 2010, but prison officials did not release him. Instead, officials from the neighborhood committee and police station (Fu Keming) set out to pick him up, planning to take him to a brainwashing center. Mr. Chen's family arrived before they did, however. They obtained a signature from prison officials and finally took Mr. Chen home.
Name: Qiang Weixiu (强维秀)
Gender: Female
Age: 43
Address: Agricultural Machinery Bureau, Zhenyuan County, Qingyang City, Gansu Province
Occupation: Former employee of the Agricultural Machinery Bureau
Date of Most Recent Arrest: May 2004
Most Recent Place of Detention: Yuzhong County Women's Forced Labor Camp (榆中县女子劳教所)
City: Lanzhou
Province: Gansu
Persecution Suffered: Detention, interrogation, beatings, handcuffed and shackled, extortion, force-feedings, forced labor, home ransacked, forced to stand for long periods, solitary confinement, hung up.
(Clearwisdom.net) Ms. Qiang Weixiu used to suffer from many illnesses, including deteriorating cranial nerves in the brain, anemia, frequent colds and chronic stomach pain. She tried many treatments, but nothing seemed to work.
An acquaintance gave Ms. Qiang the book Zhuan Falun in the summer of 1997, and told her that it was really good. She eagerly read it, and later went to the group practice site to learn the Falun Gong exercises. After diligently studying the Fa and doing the exercises, her illnesses soon disappeared.
Held in Zhenyuan County Detention Center
After the persecution of Falun Gong started on July 20, 1999, the head of the Domestic Security Division in Zhenyuan County, Lu Zhengpin, led other officers to break into Ms. Qiang's home. When they attempted to take away her copy of Zhuan Falun, Ms. Qiang said, “You cannot have my book.” However, the officers forcibly took her and the book to the Zhenyuan Police Station. Ms. Duan Xiaoyan, Ms. Jiao Liping and other practitioners were also arrested. Ms. Qiang was locked in an office, where some officers tried to force her to write a guarantee statement to promise to give up her belief. She firmly refused, and was kept there until midnight. Officers frequently went to her home to harass her and try to force her to write a guarantee statement.
Ms. Qiang and Ms. Duan went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong at the end of 1999. They were arrested at Tiananmen Square by plainclothes police officers and were held at the Qianmen Detention Center. They were later taken to the Qingyang City Office in Beijing, and then taken back to the local police station in Zhenyuan by Lu Zhengpin. Ms. Qiang and Ms. Duan were held at the Zhenyuan Detention Center for a month, before being taken back to their homes, while the police searched them. They were then returned to the detention center for another month. They were forced to recite the detention center rules and regulations, and had a week to learn them. The guards also tried to force Ms. Qiang to do the morning group running, but she refused. When she was seen doing the Falun Gong meditation exercise, she was put in shackles. However, she still insisted on doing the exercises, so the guards kept kicking her. She was then handcuffed until the day she was released. Officials at the detention center extorted 1,000 yuan from her before releasing her, stating that it was for travel expenses to collect her from Beijing. The head of the detention center at that time was Qin Dexi, and the deputy head was Liu Junhui. Other officials who participated in the persecution included Li Guomin, Hu Guoyong and He Jinhua.
Torture Re-enactment: Handcuffed and Shackled
Zhang Jiatao from Chengguan Police Station in Zhenyuan went to Ms. Qiang's workplace or her home every day to monitor her and prevent her from going to Beijing again to appeal. High ranking officials then had Ms. Qiang arrested. Ms. Qiang and Ms. Duan were arrested and taken to the Zhenyuan Detention Center again. They immediately went on a hunger strike to protest the persecution. When a doctor from the hospital was called three days later, guards and a few of the inmates held them down to force-feed them. The guards then handcuffed their hands behind their backs. After they finished with the force-feeding, they taped the inserted tube to their faces so that they could easily use them the next time. They did not remove their handcuffs, and Ms. Qiang and Ms. Duan could not sleep at night due to extreme discomfort and had to ask inmates to help them to use the restroom. They were in critical condition and the guards were afraid of being held responsible if they died in their custody, so they were released a week later.
Torture Re-enactment: Handcuffed behind the back
Ms. Qiang and Ms. Duan went to Beijing to appeal for a second time in the Spring of 2000. They were stopped by police from Zhenyuan and were taken straight to the Zhenyuan Detention Center. They were handcuffed and shackled because they insisted on practicing the exercises, and were left like this for many days. The guards also kicked and beat them. Ms. Qiang was released a month later, but Ms. Duan remained in the detention center until officials from the Zhenyuan Domestic Security Division had her transferred to the Ping'antai Forced Labor Camp.
In the Fall of 2000, Ms. Qiang went to Beijing to appeal for a third time, and returned home safely. When she was seen practicing the exercises outside her home, she was arrested and taken to the Chengguan Police Station. After being interrogated, she was transferred to the Zhenyuan Detention Center. However, she insisted on practicing the exercises, and so the guards had her handcuffed and put in shackles. She was also kicked and beaten by the guards.
Ms. Qiang’s physical and mental condition had drastically deteriorated by October 2000. Her husband, who worked at the Zhenyuan Procuratorate, could no longer take the pressure that the authorities had put on his family and work. He went to the detention center with the court officials and forced Ms. Qiang to sign divorce papers.
During the times when Ms. Qiang was arrested, officers from the Chengguan Police Station and the Zhenyuan Domestic Security Division broke into her home and ransacked it.
Officers from the Zhenyuan Domestic Security Division and Chengguan Police Station interrogated Ms. Qiang in November 2000, and fabricated evidence to sentence her to a forced labor camp. They also tried to force her to sign a guarantee statement, but she refused. The head of the police station, with the last name of Chen, and police officer Zhang Wutang had her sentenced to a term of one year. They also extorted 800 yuan from her employer, which was then deducted from Ms. Qiang's wages.
Persecuted in the First Forced Labor Camp in Ping'antai, Lanzhou City
Ms. Qiang was taken to the 1st Team of the 7th Division in the First Forced Labor Camp in Ping'antai on November 7, 2000. She refused to follow the prison rules and was forced to stand until midnight every day. She also refused to attend the training sessions and did the Falun Gong exercises instead. The guards then locked her in solitary confinement for half a month, where she was shackled and forced to stand for long periods of time. When she was released from solitary confinement, her feet were so swollen that it was very painful to make even the slightest movement. She could not sleep for a week because of the excruciating pain. The political instructor for the 1st Team was Gu Yanling. Ms. Qiang was later transferred to the 2nd Team, where Hu Ruimei was the instructor. She went on a hunger strike to protest the persecution and was brutally force-fed. Ten days later, she was taken to the hospital, where she was tied to a bed and force-fed again.
Torture Re-enactment: Force-feeding (painting)
For a period of time, practitioners in the labor camp openly did the exercises and shouted “Falun Dafa is good” to protest the persecution. As a result, a dozen practitioners were taken to the hospital in the labor camp. Their hands were cuffed behind their backs, and a rope was put through the handcuffs and attached to iron bars. They were then hung up with only the ends of their toes being able to touch the ground. Political instructor of the 3rd Team, Li Xiaojing, then tortured Ms. Qiang. She was taken outside by two inmates one night and brutally beaten until she almost lost consciousness. Officials at the camp also extended her term for three months.
Torture Re-enactment: Handcuffed and hung up
Ms. Qiang wrote a letter to the head of the 7th Division, Dai Wenqing, to expose the brutal torture of practitioners at the camp. Hu Ruimei had her taken outside and hung up, and the division instructor, Jing Xuefeng, verbally abused her while she was hung up. She was tortured like this for a week. For the first three days, Ms. Qiang was hung up for long periods of time, and was only let down for a short while every few hours. Her wrists were badly injured.
Practitioners were forced to do farm work at the labor camp, such as weeding, plowing and picking corn. Their living conditions were very bad. The meals were small and of poor quality. They had to wash their clothes outside in the winter, and the washing basin was soon full of ice and frozen to the ground. They also had to wash their hair with cold water.
Ms. Qiang's employer stopped paying her wages while she was detained at the labor camp, and reduced her salary by three grades when she returned to work after being released. Zhang Jiatao and others from the Chengguan Police Station constantly went to her workplace or home to harass her.
Persecuted in Zhenyuan County again
In the Spring of 2002, Ms. Qiang was forced to become homeless to avoid further persecution. Officers from the Zhenyuan Domestic Security Division and the Chengguan Police Station collaborated with the Lanzhou Domestic Security Division to have her secretly followed. She was arrested in September 2002 by Wei Dong and others, and taken to the Lanzhou Domestic Security Division. They confiscated 1,700 yuan and interrogated her. They put a helmet on her head and had her handcuffed and shackled. After torturing her for the whole night, Lu Zhengpin and the head of Chengguan Police Station, Gou Huifeng, had Ms. Qiang transferred to the Zhenyuan Detention Center, where she was held for two months.
Ms. Qiang was constantly interrogated and then sentenced to two years and nine months of forced labor. Lu Zhengpin extorted 1,300 yuan from her and did not provide her with a receipt.
Fang Zhiqiang from the Chengguan Police Station had his driver Zhang Wutang take Ms. Qiang to the First Forced Labor Camp in Ping'antai. He, his wife, son and one of his friends drove with them to try to get Ms. Qiang to renounce her beliefs. The car broke down on the way there and had to be repaired. Ms. Qiang tried to run away and jumped down a steep embankment. She was badly injured and was in serious condition. However, Fang Zhiqiang still drove a long way to take her to the forced labor camp. Officials at the camp told them to get Ms. Qiang to the hospital and have her examined. She was taken back to the forced labor camp and the doctor there was shown the x-rays, but he still refused to take her. Ms. Qiang had a broken spine. She was in extreme pain and could not walk. She was taken to a private clinic on Anxi Road in Lanzhou to forcibly give her a transfusion, while Fang Zhiqiang went to the Second Forced Labor Camp in Lanzhou to try and bribe the guards into taking her. However, the doctors could not help and the officials at the labor camp would not accept her. So Fang Zhiqiang had to take Ms. Qiang back to the Zhenyuan Detention Center.
Ms. Qiang was already on a hunger strike before she was driven to the labor camp. By the time she was finally returned to the detention center, her condition was very poor. Doctors were called in for treatment. Officials from the Politics and Law Committee, Zhenyuan Public Security Bureau and the Chengguan Detention Center had a meeting, and Qin Dexi finally agreed to take her if he would be paid 60,000 yuan. However, the officials were afraid that Ms. Qiang might become paralyzed, and so in order to avoid responsibility, they decided to release her on bail two days later and monitor her at home. They then notified her family to come and collect her.
Lu Zhengpin did not return Ms. Qiang's savings, and only paid her 500 yuan for living expenses, even though she could not take care of herself at home. Six months later, she had to go back to work to earn an income.
Ms. Qiang was arrested by officers from the Zhenyuan Domestic Security Division in early May 2004, when she was on her way home from work, and was taken to Zhenyuan Public Security Bureau. She was handcuffed to a chair and interrogated until midnight. Zhang Jiatao and his driver, with the last name of Jia, then took her to the Liugouhe Women's Forced Labor Camp in Yuzhong County, Gansu Province. Ms. Qiang was then sent to the Lanzhou Hospital for an examination. The results showed that she had heart problems, and her spine was fractured in two places. Officials at the labor camp refused to accept her. The officers then took her to the Army Hospital for another examination. The results were the same. The officers then paid 3,000 yuan to the officials at the labor camp hospital and left Ms. Qiang there.
When the guards at the labor camp hospital heard that Ms. Qiang was on a hunger strike, two guards tied her down on a hospital bed and force-fed her. She was detained in the hospital ward for 45 days and was constantly monitored. The guards forcibly fed her and injected unknown drugs into her every day.
Zhang Jiatao later had Ms. Qiang transferred to the Yuzhong County Women’s Forced Labor Camp in Lanzhou. They had bribed the head of the education section to imprison her there for two years and nine months.
Brutally persecuted in Yuzhong County Women's Forced Labor Camp
Ms. Qiang was force-fed for 45 days in the labor camp hospital. On June 26, 2004, she was taken to the Women's Forced Labor Camp in Heping Town. The guards emptied a room and sent six inmates to monitor her 24 hours a day. The police officer in charge was Liu Sheng. The inmates shouted at her and threatened her. Half a month later, Ms. Qiang was sent to the 1st team, and her physical condition was extremely poor. A few months later, guards at the camp tried to force her to attend brainwashing sessions. When the inmates read aloud articles that slandered Dafa, Ms. Qiang started to recite the Fa. The inmates eventually stopped reading.
On one occasion, when the team leader slandered Dafa in the classroom, Ms. Qiang tried to walk out, but the guards and inmates stopped her. She shouted, “Falun Dafa is good.” The guards then put her in solitary confinement. Her hands were cuffed behind her back and she was hung from the top frame of the bunk bed, with her toes barely touching the ground. She was left hanging there until noon the next day. The political instructor in charge was Wang Hongjuan. Ms. Qiang was released from solitary confinement seven days later, and was taken back to the brainwashing facility. Team leader Xia Wenying ordered Shan Guilian to monitor her.
Ms. Qiang was taken to the Strictly Controlled Team ten days later, and her term was extended by 49 days. When she was released on February 25, 2007, her employer deducted over 10,000 yuan from her wages to pay for her expenses while she was detained. She was also deducted six years of service from her records.
Some of the labor that prisoners are forced to do in the labor camp include weaving carpets, folding medicine boxes, grinding gem stones, peeling corn, making hats, decorating shoes, and other work.
Constantly harassed and persecuted by 610 Office agents
Two agents from the Gansu Province 610 Office, two from the regional 610 Office and a few from the Zhenyuan 610 Office went to Ms. Qiang's office on September 16, 2010 to harass her. Agents from the Gansu Province 610 Office repeatedly slandered Falun Gong. One of the agents from the regional 610 Office was a person with the last name of Si.
On the afternoon of May 4, 2011, Ms. Qiang was called to the head office of the Agricultural Machinery Bureau by her employer. All the managers of the company were there. The general manager Wang Jinren said that they had orders from high level authorities that required all Falun Gong practitioners to write guarantee statements to promise to give up their belief. If not, the practitioner would be taken to the Lanzhou Brainwashing Center and would not be released until they wrote the statement. If Ms. Qiang refused to cooperate, she would be sent there and the cost would be 50,000 yuan per year, which would be deducted from Ms. Qiang's wages. They also told her that they would stop paying her wages from the next month. The party secretary Wang Shaohua said that Ms. Qiang had to write a guarantee statement by 6 p.m. that evening. But Wang Jinren then said that they could give her one more day and she had to reply to them by the following afternoon. They also gave her a pre-printed guarantee statement that she only had to sign.
Ms. Qiang refused to sign the letter and left home to avoid further persecution. Agents from the Zhenyuan 610 Office went to her office many times looking for her, and officers from the Chengguan Police Station also asked her employer about her whereabouts many times. Qin Hongyan from the Zhenyuan 610 Office said that the Gansu City 610 Office told him that if Ms. Qiang's employer cannot deal with her, they need to send her to them for persecution.
Agent Jia from the Qingyang 610 Office also actively participated in the persecution of Ms. Qiang.
Contact details of those involved in the persecution:
Qing Hongyan, Zhenyuan County Politics and Law Committee in Gansu Province: 86-9347121325 (Office), 86-15339347583 (Cell)
Wang Jinren, head of the Zhenyuan County Agricultural Machinery Bureau in Qingyang City: 86-13993495593 (Cell)
Wang Shaohua, party secretary of the Zhenyuan County Agricultural Machinery Bureau: 86-13884125708 (Cell)
(Clearwisdom.net) Today's news from China includes incidents of persecution that took place in 28 cities or counties in 11 provinces. In this report, 14 practitioners were subjected to mistreatment during their detention and at least 39 practitioners were illegally arrested.
1. [Lanzhou City, Gansu Province] Additional Information about the Arrests of Mr. Chen Deguang and His Wife Ms. Sheng Chunmei
Mr. Chen Deguang and his wife, Ms. Sheng Chunmei, both in their 60s, are from Haishiwan Town in the Honggu District. At noon on July 6, 2011, they were reported for speaking to people about Falun Gong. Officers from Huazhuang Town Police Station in the Honggu District illegally arrested them.
Wang Yongquan, director of Huazhuang Town Police Station, took Ms. Sheng to Jiuzhou Detention Center in Lanzhou on July 7. The detention center authorities refused to admit her because she didn't pass the physical. Ms. Sheng was sent home on the afternoon of July 8. The police ransacked her home and confiscated a TV, a computer, a DVD player, a cellphone, a phone book and other personal belongings. Mr. Chen is being held at the Haishiwan Town Detention Center.
Wang Yongquan, director of Huazhuang Town Police Station:
86-931-6271034, 86-13399316269 (Cell)
Zhou Dezhong, Party secretary of Huazhuang Town: 86-931-6283006,
86-13609360300 (Cell)
2. [Guyuan County, Hebei Province] Mr. Ren Haiquan Taken to Zhangjiakou City Brainwashing Center
Early in the morning on July 8, 2011, about six officers including Ren Qiang, deputy Party secretary of Baituyao Town, and Men Luguang, director of Baituyao Town Police Station, broke into Mr. Ren Haiquan's home and arrested him. Mr. Ren was then taken to Zhangjiakou City Brainwashing Center.
Ren Qiang, deputy Party secretary of Baituyao Town:
86-13731380338 (Cell)
Men Luguang, director of Baituyao Town Police Station:
86-13833365830 (Cell)
3. [Beijing] Mr. Chen Junjie Arrested
On July 1, 2011, officers from Fengtai District Domestic Security Team and Shiliuyuan Police Station broke into Mr. Chen Junjie's home in the Shiliuyuan Community and arrested him. The police confiscated a computer and Falun Dafa books.
Mr. Chen was arrested by officers from Shiliuyuan Police Station at the end of 2003 and served three years in prison. He was again arrested on July 20, 2010. The police confiscated a computer and Falun Dafa books. He was held in Fengtai District Detention Center for several months.
Shiliuyuan Police Station: 86-10 67246505, 86-10 67214463
4. [Chongqing] Ms. Li Shujun Taken to Brainwashing Center
Ms. Li Shujun, about 70, is from the Yubei District. Officers from Domestic Security Team arrested her on the morning of July 7, 2011. They also confiscated her yuan bills that had messages about Falun Gong written on them. Ms. Li is being held at the Lushancun Brainwashing Center.
5. [Pengshan County, Sichuan Province] More Information about the Arrests of Ms. Xu Jianhua and Four Other Practitioners
Ms. Xu Jianhua, Ms. Li Qinyin, Ms. Cao Chunhua, Ms. Zhou Xiaoli, and Ms. He Tong were arrested on June 13, 2011. They were recently transferred to Meishan Detention Center.
Hu Guomin, director of Pengshan Police Department:
86-28-38161469, 86-13708161469 (Cell)
Zhang Zhichun, Pengshan 610 Office: 86-13708169693 (Cell),
86-28-37623458, 86-28-37623659
Fu Yan, chief of Pengshan Domestic Security Team: 86-28-37612999,
86-13679653358 (Cell)
6. [Guanghan City, Sichuan Province] Ms. Xu Guoying's Home Ransacked
Ms. Xu Guoying, in her 60s, is from Sanxing Town, Guanghan City. She was taken to the Nanxing Town Police Station on July 8, 2011, for speaking to people about Falun Gong in Nanxing Town. The police ransacked her home and confiscated Dafa books and an MP3 player. She was released at noon.
7. [Shenyang City, Liaoning Province] Ms. Liu Zhi Arrested on July 12
8. [Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province] Ms. Zhang Yunnu Arrested
Ms. Zhang Yunnu, 71, was arrested by officers from Jiangnan Police Station on July 7, 2011. Her current whereabouts are unknown.
9. [Weihai City, Shandong Province] Ms. Wang Xiling and Two Other Practitioners Detained
Ms. Wang Xiling, Ms. Yu Shuyun and Ms. Xu Hailing were reported for speaking to people about Falun Gong in Songjiawa Village on July 12, 2011. Xiao Jinmo, director of Fenglin Police Station, and other officers arrested her. Ms. Wang is being held at the Weihai Detention Center.
Xiao Jinmo, director of Fenglin Police Station: 86-13371163999 (Cell)
10. [Tangshan City, Hebei Province] Ms. Ji Fengyu Taken to Forced Labor Camp
Officers from Yingezhuang Police Station arrested Ms. Ji Fengyu at her job on the morning of July 8, 2011. Ms. Ji was taken to Hebei Province No. 1 Forced Labor Camp.
Yingezhuang Police Station: 86-315-3061485, 86-315-3576378
Guzhi District Police Sub-bureau: 86-315-3562730
11. [Liaoyuan City, Jilin Province] Mr. Zhang Weixi Taken to Jilin Prison
Mr. Zhang Weixi from Dongliao County was released on medical parole for tuberculosis infection of the intestine and lung in 2011. On July 11, officer Li Tiesheng and others took Mr. Zhang back to Jilin Prison, although he had not fully recovered.
12. [Ya'an City, Sichuan Province] Ms. Li Chaofeng and Ms. Wen Xiuying Taken to Ya'an Brainwashing Center
On the evening of July 11, 2011, Liu Jintao, director of local police station, and other officers arrested Ms. Li Chaofeng and Ms. Wen Xiuying at their homes. They were taken to the Ya'an Brainwashing Center.
Director of the local police station: 86-13981610388 (Cell)
13. [Dalian City, Liaoning Province] Several Practitioners Arrested
Ms. Zhao Na and Ms. Wang Guiqin from Baijia Village, Dengshahe Town, Jinzhou District, were arrested on July 12, 2011. About eight officers arrested Ms. Wu Jinjuan and her non-practitioner husband on July 13. The officers also confiscated Ms. Wu's computer.
14. [Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province] Many Practitioners Arrested
On the morning of July 13, 2011, Ms. Liu Jing, Ms. Jin Menglan, Ms. Liu Lijun, and Ms. Wang Shuqin from the Tanghezi District in Jinzhou City and Ms. Feng Yuqin from Jingkouzi Village, Taijitun Town, Huludao City, were reported by Yu Zhilin, head of Liuhatun Village, for handing out Shen Yun DVDs in Liuhatun Village, Taijitun Town. All five practitioners were arrested and are being held at the Taijitun Town Police Station.
Taijitun Town Police Station: 86-429-4270085, 86-13942900007
(Cell)
Yu Zhilin, head of Liuhatun Village: 86-13898798577 (Cell)
15. [Yongji County, Jilin Province] Ms. Liu Zongju Followed and Arrested on July 13
16. [Shouguang City, Shandong Province] Ms. Wang Haifeng Detained
Ms. Wang Haifeng, from Beiguan Village was arrested by officers from Chengguan Town Police Station on July 4, 2011. She is being held in the Shouguang Detention Center.
17. [Huizhou City, Shandong Province] Ms. Li Guiying and Ms. Liu Youlian Held in Gutang'ao Detention Center
Gutang'ao Detention Center: 86-752-2274950, 86-752-2274908
Huizhou 610 Office: 86-752-2808251, 86-752-2810610
Lai Nanxian, director of Huicheng District Police Sub-bureau:
86-752-2249388
Deputy director of Huicheng District Police Sub-bureau:
86-752-2249299, 86-752-2249303, 86-752-2249368
18. [Huadian City, Jilin Province] Mr. Xia Jilin and Two Other Practitioners Arrested
Mr. Xia Jilin, Mr. Huang Xuelin, and Ms. Wu Jinfeng were arrested at work by officers from Huadian 610 Office on the evening of July 12, 2011. Wang Guangchao and seven officers from the Political Security Section of Hongshi Forestry Bureau Police Department ransacked their homes the next day.
19. [Yushu City, Jilin Province] Ms. Cong Yuhua Arrested
At noon on July 13, 2011, officers from the Yushu 610 Office, the Yushu Domestic Security Team, and Heilinzi Town Police Station broke into Ms. Cong Yuhua's home and arrested her. Ms. Cong's current whereabouts are unknown.
Zhao Guojun, secretary of Yushu Political and Judiciary
Committee: 86-431-83800001, 86-431-83613979
Li Fenglin, head of Yushu 610 Office and deputy secretary of Yushu
Political and Judiciary Committee: 86-431-83800003,
86-431-83630197, 86-13756570561 (Cell)
20. [Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province] Mr. Zhou Hongbo Arrested
Yao Jixiang, vice-principle of Hujitumo Town Central School in Dumeng County, told Mr. Zhou Hongbo to come to the school on July 12, 2011. Yao Jixiang and officers from Hujitumo Town Justice Office and Hujitumo Town Police Station and the head of the Dumeng County 610 Office took Mr. Zhou against his will to the Daqing Party School.
Yao Jixiang, vice-principle of Hujitumo Town Central School:
86-013284595123 (Cell), 86-459-3466123
Chen Yong, director of Hujitumo Town Justice Office: 86-13555509609
(Cell)
Zhao Guoyou, officer from Hujitumo Town Police Station:
86-459-3464383
21. [Chengde City, Hebei Province] Ms. Xu Guirong and Two Other Practitioners Arrested
Officers from Shuangluan Police Sub-bureau took Ms. Xu Guirong to the Chengde County Brainwashing Center in Chengde City at the end of June 2011.
Ms. Wang Ruifen and Ms. Zhao Cuixia were arrested on July 12, 2011. They are being held in the Shuangluan Police Sub-bureau.
Jiao Shuchang, deputy director of Shuangluan Police Sub-bureau:
86-13831415568 (Cell)
Guan Limin, instructor of Shuangluan Police Sub-bureau:
86-13313145556 (Cell)
22. [Linghai City, Liaoning Province] Three Practitioners Taken to Masanjia Forced Labor Camp
Mr. Jin Xin, Ms. Sun Liying and Ms. Cao Yanhua were taken to Masanjia Forced Labor Camp on July 14, 2011.
23. [Jilin City, Jilin Province] Mr. Chen Baixiang and Ms. Cao Hua Arrested
Guo Laigang and several other officers from Chaluhe Town Police Department arrested Mr. Chen Baixiang from Chaluhe Town, Yongji County, Jilin City, on the morning of July 13, 2011. His current whereabouts are unknown.
Li Fude and several other officers from Yilaxi Town Police Station arrested Ms. Cao Hua from Qinhuayuan Village, Yilaxi Town, Yongji County, Jilin City, that same day. Ms. Cao's current whereabouts are unknown.
24. [Fengcheng County, Liaoning Province] Ms. Chen Shang Held in Strict Management Ward in Liaoning Province Women's Prison
Ms. Chen Shang from Baoshan Town, Fengcheng County, has been held in a dark and humid place in the Strict Management Ward in Liaoning Province Women's Prison. She is also not allowed to have family visits.
25. [Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province] Ms. Li Li in Critical Condition
Ms. Li Li was taken to the Judong Forced Labor Camp by officers from Nanjing 610 Office. She started a hunger strike to protest the persecution several months ago. She is emaciated and in critical condition.
Jiangsu Province Forced Labor Camp Management Bureau:
86-25-83337232
Jiang Jinbing, director of Jiangsu Province Forced Labor Bureau:
86-13705171001 (Cell), 86-25-83716093, 86-25-83709009
26. [Sanhe City, Hebei Province] Ms. Liu Xingyun Arrested
Ms. Liu Xingyun, an employee of Sanhe No. 5 Water and Electric Power Bureau, was arrested on the morning of July 13, 2011.
27. [Yongji County, Jilin Province] Ms. Jia Guirong Arrested
Officers from the Domestic Security Team and the Police Department went to Ms. Jia Guirong's home and ransacked it on the morning of July 13, 2011. Ms. Jia was arrested.
28. [Yushu City, Jilin Province] Mr. Zuo Zhongren Arrested at Home on July 13
29. [Heishan County, Liaoning Province] Ms. Qi Sumei Arrested
Ms. Qi Sumei was reported and arrested for speaking to people about Falun Gong in Nanhu Park on the afternoon of July 13, 2011.
30. [Tianjin] Additional Information about the Arrests of Ms. Xin Yanhua and Mr. Sun Fengjun
Ms. Xin Yanhua and Mr. Sun Fengjun were reported and arrested for speaking to people about Falun Gong in Wangxinzhuang Village, Majiadian Town, Tianjin, on the afternoon of February 18, 2011. They were beaten in the local police station. The police ransacked their home and confiscated a computer, a printer, and Dafa books. Ms. Xin and Mr. Sun were taken to Tianjin Brainwashing Center after being held in local police station for 13 days.
31. [Langfang City, Hebei Province] Ms. Liu Yong Arrested
Ms. Liu Yong is an employee of Sanhe No. 1 Metallurgy Bureau. A group of officers broke into her home on the morning of July 12, 2011. The officers carried her to the police car and took her to the Langfang Brainwashing Center. The brainwashing center authorities refused to admit her because she didn't pass the physical. (http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/14/河北廊坊市恶警绑架法轮功学员柳勇经过-243907.html)
(Clearwisdom.net) A "Solemn Declaration" is a person's public statement to the world that whatever he or she has done or said under duress or deception that was against Falun Dafa is null and void. These statements have come from Falun Dafa practitioners in China who wish to express regret that, in the face of physical torture and brainwashing, they signed documents renouncing Dafa and guaranteeing not to practice again. Now, they hereby declare their intention to resume practicing Falun Dafa. Here are some examples of the Solemn Declarations: Please click here for more Solemn Declarations.
(Clearwisdom.net) More and more people in China are awakening to the truth and realizing that they were deceived by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) into participating in the persecution of Falun Gong, either directly as government officials, police, labor camp guards, etc., or indirectly as practitioners' family members, who in many cases may have cursed Dafa, burned Dafa books, or interfered in various other ways to prevent practitioners from following their beliefs. As a result of this awakening, the Minghui/ Clearwisdom website is receiving increasing numbers of heartfelt messages from non-practitioners who wish to publicly express remorse for their wrongdoing and announce their intention to rectify their words and deeds in the future. The editors will periodically choose representative messages of this type and publish them as articles entitled, "Solemn Statements from Non-Practitioners."
Here are some examples of the Solemn Declarations:
Please click here for more Solemn Declarations.
(Clearwisdom.net) Throughout history, there has been no lack of bad people who rack their brains to trump up charges against good people. They often outsmart themselves, and to the contrary, people will realize that those good people who were framed, were praiseworthy.
On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), out of jealousy and being fearful of Falun Gong's popularity, launched a nationwide persecution against Falun Gong practitioners. The news stirred up the international community, media, and triggered curiosity concerning Falun Gong. Many people heard about Falun Gong through media reports for the first time. A significant number of people in Taiwan were curious and explored what it was. They were pleasantly surprised to find that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are the fundamental principles of Falun Gong, an ancient Chinese traditional practice that has a profound inner meaning. Many people became Falun Gong practitioners, and Mr. Zhou Jilian was one of them.
Mr. Zhou Jilian became a Falun Dafa practitioner after hearing about the persecution in July 1999
Mr. Zhou grew up in Shuili Township, Nantou County. His father was a low level government employee in a forestry center. Their lives were impoverished but stable, and they had adequate food and clothing. Mr. Zhou spent his childhood in the countryside, and did not have much idea of life elsewhere. When he grew up, he went to Taipei and found a job for the ground services in aviation. In his leisure time, he played card games with colleagues and drank and smoked. He indulged in these habits more and more. No matter how strong these external stimulations were, they couldn't fill his inner emptiness. He couldn't find a diversion from loneliness. He tried to gain support from religion, but couldn’t find the direction to balance his emotions.
In Search of Zhuan Falun Out of Curiosity
People who have seen a great deal of life, always sigh with emotion amidst the winding roads: “Attitude decides if you are fortunate or unfortunate in human life.” Because of curiosity about Falun Gong and his understanding of the truth, Jilian opened the door to a new life.
On July 20, 1999, when the CCP launched a large scale persecution of Falun Gong, the news spread abroad. Mr. Zhou heard about it from TV, newspapers, and magazines, and also learned about Zhuan Falun. He was very curious and searched for it, finally finding the book in a bookstore near Furen University. As soon as he arrived home, he couldn't wait to read it and he couldn't put it down. He was shocked and moved. He was surprised that the book explained cultivation in simple terms of how to cultivate one's mind and improve oneself. Every word awakened his long lost mind: “So this is what I want. I want to practice Falun Gong!”
Unwrapping Wisdom and Being Reborn
Jilian couldn't wait to go to the bookstore again to buy all the Falun Gong books - Hong Yin, Essentials for Further Advancement, Zhuan Falun Fajie, Lecture in Sydney, and so on. He read the books one by one and his determination to practice became more firm. Jilian said, “Every time I study the Fa, I have a different feeling of being reborn. The first time I saw practitioners was when they were doing the meditation at Xinzhuang Sports Park, and I was very impressed. After that I began doing the exercises and studying the Fa with them.” After three months of cultivating in Dafa, he naturally stopped smoking, drinking, and playing cards. The emptiness inside him had vanished. Every day was filled with joyfulness. Jilian felt that he was really fortunate he could explore Falun Gong and thus gained a second chance in life.
Public Security Personnel Change Their Attitudes
Jilian has often called mainland Chinese police stations, public security bureaus, 610 Offices, labor camps, national security brigades, and other units to clarify the truth to them. He said, “Early on, police and the general population, because of their lack of access to facts, mostly were one-sided and believed in the CCP's lies. They would curse after receiving the phone calls. As a result of persistent efforts by fellow practitioners who used a variety of means to convey the truth, the situation has completely changed in recent years. People are willing to listen to the truth and more and more people thank us.”
Jilian said that national security brigades often cited the April 25, 1999 appeal in Beijing by Falun Gong practitioners as an excuse to suppress and arrest practitioners. He asked them, “Did the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong come first, or did an appeal by Falun Gong practitioners come first?” The other party often became speechless and listened quietly. Jilian told them, “Petitioning is a citizen's constitutional right. The appeal was a peaceful one. Photos of the appeal impressed the international community, touched many people, and even attracted many to practice Falun Gong. A well-known lawyer in Taiwan, after seeing a report on the April 25th appeal, was deeply moved and began to practice Falun Gong. As a result of your listening to the CCP’s lies, you believe Zhongnanhai was besieged by Falun Gong. But you have been completely deceived by the CCP.”
The other party remained silent without refuting and didn't hang up the phone. Jilian then continued, “The Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong is totally illegal. It has no basis in human rights and does not give practitioners an opportunity to speak for themselves, so practitioners use various means to express the facts. They are done to let their compatriots whose minds are poisoned by the CCP understand the truth about Falun Gong. I hope that you will treat these people well and not participate in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.” Jilian said more and more people want to listen. They hang up after listening quietly. Some have responded to him saying, “I know.” Some have said, “Oh, so that's the situation.” Others have said, “Now I know, thank you, thank you,” before hanging up.
Police Officer Asks, “What Should I Do?”
There were a few people who would not apologize for the persecution they committed, but were fearful. Jilian said, “I called state security brigade leader Ma Pingan several times. He picked up the phone, and before I talked, he said in a panic, ‘I am not Ma Pingan,’ and hung up the phone in a hurry. He was so scared of his persecution of Falun Gong practitioners being discovered.”
A public security policeman once tried to a trick him over the phone. As soon as he answered his call, he said, “Is there a death in the family? This is the crematorium.” Jilian saw through the trick and kept clarifying the truth to him. A policeman in Shandong Province once listened to Jilian over the phone and asked, “What should I do?” Jilian responded, "You must remember to treat Falun Dafa practitioners well from now on and you must not be involved in the persecution. You also need to take this opportunity to withdraw from the CCP, and break away from the Party.” The policeman quit the CCP immediately.
No Good End to Those Who are Used by the CCP
After hearing the facts, a policeman at a brainwashing center said, “Would you like to talk to my superior?” After his boss answered the phone, Jilian had a long talk with him. He challenged and refuted what Jilian said in an attempt to learn more. Finally, Jilian said to him, “The persecution of Falun Gong is genocide. The rewards you receive today for persecuting Falun Gong will become evidence against you tomorrow. Have you heard of Liu Chuanxin, director of the Public Security Bureau in Beijing? During the Cultural Revolution, Liu thought he was carrying out the law, but he came to shoot himself in the end when he realized he had participated in persecution. Several hundred police officers who had actively participated in atrocities during the Cultural Revolution were secretly taken to Yunnan and shot in order to appease the public. This is part of our history. Do you know that you are in the same situation right now? Please think of yourself and your family and stop participating in the persecution to give yourself a way out.” This official listened quietly. When Jilian finished, the official thanked him before he hung up the phone.
Jilian said, “I was given a new life from practicing Falun Gong. My will to cultivate in Dafa is as solid as a rock. I follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and I have a very clear direction in life. I sincerely hope that those people who are blinded by the CCP's lies will grasp every opportunity to understand Falun Gong. The CCP has always gotten rid of those people as soon as their jobs were done. Those who resolutely obey the CCP will have no good end. I hope that those who hold power won't abet evil and make a correct choice for themselves and their families to have a better future.”
(Clearwisdom.net) To get treatment for his liver lesions, my elderly father has had to go to the hospital every month for the past two years. Each time, I accompanied him for the 15-day hospital stay. The patients we met there had all been diagnosed with similar illnesses. They ranged in age from their teens to their 80s, and they were all trying to beat cancer or a tumor as long as possible with treatment. Seeing that these people were face to face with death, I sensed the urgency to tell them the facts about Falun Dafa. Then they would not have to be sorry that they never knew the ultimate law of the universe before they left the human world.
Every time I went to the hospital, I brought with me some DVDs of Shen Yun Performing Arts and the documentary We Tell the Future and Dafa amulets(1), in case I had a good opportunity to give them to people. Besides taking good care of my father, I also made friends with other patients, their family members, and hospital staff by offering help when needed, listening to them, and caring for them. In doing so, I was able to to clarify the facts of Falun Dafa to people who had predestined relationships with Dafa and offer them the opportunity for salvation.
Last fall, a young female patient, an attractive, unmarried model, was assigned to stay in a temporary bed in the hallway of the inpatient department. She had a bad temper and could not get along with the other patients. Finally, she was placed in a bed next to my father's. Because the cancer had advanced to her rectum and abdomen, she was in great pain most of the time. Her doctor told her that she might die in two months, around the Christmas holidays. From my viewpoint as a Dafa practitioner, she was someone with huge sickness karma, yet she kept making more karma by verbally abusing her elderly father, the only person taking care of her. I wanted to talk to her, because I was the only good person she might listen to.
“Xiao Fang,” I said one day, “Let me show you something nice.” On my cellphone screen there was a photo of udumbara flowers on the face of a Buddha statue. I continued, “These are udumbaras, which bloom once every 3,000 years. You have never seen them before, right? You are very lucky to see them today.” Then I told her that the blossoming of udumbaras means it is the time when the Holy King Who Turns the Wheel is offering salvation to people. It was natural at this point in our conversation to tell her the facts about Falun Dafa. I also told her to sincerely recite “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” and that it would surely benefit her. She believed what I said, recited the two phrases when in pain, and did feel the pain subside. Later, she withdrew from the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
In February this year, I accompanied my father to the hospital again and saw her there. I asked her, “Do you still remember the two phrases I told you?” Holding my hands tightly, she replied excitedly, “How can I forget? I am still alive simply because of them!” Then she told me that, according to her doctors, she should be suffering from terrible pain at this stage of her illness, but, other than a little discomfort, she was in a peaceful and calm state. Her doctors were amazed. “Wonderful! Do remember those life-saving words in any situation.” Before I left, I told her, “Follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, be kind to your father, and you will be even better.”
Another time a retired official who was in his 60s and suffered from liver cancer was in the bed next to my father's. His wife took care of him most of the time. They both understood the facts about Falun Dafa and the persecution and quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. I also taught them how to sit in the cross-legged position, the jieyin gesture, how to recite the two phrases I had taught the young female patient, and some of the Falun Gong exercises. One morning the retired official got up and saw me meditating. Then he sat in his bed to recite the two phrases, with his legs crossed and hands in jieyin. His attentive and genuine face made me see how eager sentient beings are to be saved.
Sometimes the doctors moved my father to different beds and rooms for no particular reason, which gave me more opportunities to save sentient beings. Once there was a 60-year-old woman in the next bed. She was tormented so acutely by the rupture of her liver tumor that she did not have the strength to even communicate. I said in her ear, “Sister, please recite in your heart 'Falun Dafa is good' and 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.' These two phrases can save your life. They are known to many people around the world and have saved countless lives.” Upon hearing this, she seemed happy, as if she had finally gotten what she had been longing for. She did what I told her and was able to talk with me shortly after that. She became a lot better afterward.
From my conversations with her husband, I learned that his family had been defamed as being in “the landlord class,” because they had accumulated property and land through hard work in the countryside. During the Land Reform in the 1950s, his father was killed and their property was taken in the name of “Equal Division of Property.” Knowing the Communist Party's evil nature, he had never been a member of any of the CCP's organizations. A few days later, the elderly lady got better and was discharged from the hospital.
After she left, a 60-year-old male patient in serious condition was arranged to stay in the bed next to my father's. Because he suffered from breathing difficulties, he had to sit upright, wear an aspirator, and be connected to a heart monitor 24 hours a day. When I was playing on my cellphone the song “Clear Currents from Earth to Heaven,” composed by a Dafa practitioner, he listened attentively and asked, “What's that music? It sounds so nice that I feel like I'm in a different world.” I answered, “Great! Good music is good for your health.” Then I played more Dafa songs, including “Ji Shi,” “Teacher's Grace,” “Predestined Relationship Appears,” and “Please Sit Beside Me.” I taught him the two phrases that I had told other patients and the facts about Dafa. Early the next morning, I asked him how he felt after sitting up in bed the whole night. He said in a weak, broken voice, “I have been reciting the phrases no matter how hard it is for me to do it. I don't want to die.” I said, “Good. It works for people who are sincere. Keep doing it.”
Later in the morning, a nurse came in to check his heart monitor. She approached the patient's wife and said with surprise, “Why are his heartbeat, pulse, and blood pressure normal now?” I joined them and asked, “What were they before?” The nurse replied, “Yesterday his maximum blood pressure was 170 or 180, with a minimum of 120 or 130. His heartbeat was over 100 per minute! And now you can see that his maximum pressure is 120 to 130, while his minimum pressure is totally normal.” The patient and I exchanged a look and smiled. He said, “The atmosphere here is good.” I said, “Your sincerity is good.”
There were other patients, too. One was a chief manager of a luxury sanatorium who said that he witnessed corruption at work every day. Upon learning the facts about Falun Dafa and the Communist Party, he withdrew from the CCP and its affiliated organizations. A male patient who had learned the facts about Dafa brought me his MP3 player and asked me for the audio recording of Teacher's lectures. He is listening to the Fa every day. I also gave him a DVD of Shen Yun and a Dafa amulet. A 40-year-old patient learned the truth and asked me to teach him the Falun Dafa exercises and wanted to know how to use the Internet blockade software. He and his wife and brother all quit the CCP's organizations. A 27-year-old male patient and his wife also withdrew from the CCP organizations, and I gave him my MP3 player so that he could listen to Teacher's lectures every day. A nurse initiated a conversation with me regarding Falun Gong, and I told her the facts about Dafa and the CCP. She withdrew from the CCP organizations as well. There were also senior professors, former soldiers, elderly farmers, retired officials, and many patients' relatives who understood the facts and quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
Later I received phone calls from some patients' families, telling me that their loved ones had passed away peacefully. Their deaths were expected, so both the patients and their families were able to face it calmly.
We are in the special Fa-rectification period of the universe. Birth, aging, illness, and death are unavoidable for everyday people, but it is important for sentient beings to reject the damaging lies perpetrated by the CCP, understand the truth, and acknowledge Falun Dafa. Then, they will be able to leave the human world without any regrets. A dying person who can acknowledge the universal Law chooses the right path to a promising future, and his or her journey in this life will not end in vain.
Note:
(1) Amulets – In China, practitioners sometimes clarify the truth by giving people something small to wear or cherish, bearing a few words reminding them of the goodness of Dafa
(Clearwisdom.net) An elderly practitioner was distributing truth-clarification materials in a hospital. When she left a booklet at the pharmacy counter, the gatekeeper, an old man, saw it and shouted, "What are you doing?" She tried to calm him down by asking him to read the booklet first. The gatekeeper would not listen and insisted on calling the police. She told him, “Don’t waste your time—the call will not go through.” And, indeed, it didn't. But he did not give up. He called two security people over to watch over her and ran to a nearby police station for help. The practitioner attempted to leave the scene, but the security guards would not let her go. She then said, “You stand there and don’t move.” They were frozen in place, unable to move. They screamed at her, but could not do anything about it. They watched her leave.
Under the bridge outside the hospital, people sell pottery products. She thought about hiding under the bridge but soon gave up, realizing that was a human thought. She thought if she did not have righteous thoughts, evil from another dimension could see it clearly and would take advantage of her. She immediately came out from the underneath the bridge and walked on the main street. A taxi approached. When she got in, she could still hear the shouting behind her.
One night in the winter of 2009, two practitioners set out to take down banners that slandered Falun Gong hanging on the city government building. It was pouring rain, but when they got there and started taking the banners down, the rain suddenly let up. One person was responsible for cutting and the other person for clearing the banner away.
As they were working, a man walked out of the building. One practitioner thought, “He cannot see us.” The man walked by but saw nothing. The two cleared away all the banners that night.
In December 2010, the authorities hung up a large, slanderous banner across a highway. A practitioner saw it and wanted to take it down, but was not sure when would be the best time to do it. When he took a taxi that day, the driver mentioned how bad business was when it was so cold and complained there was no business at all for him after 8:00 p.m., which, the practitioner realized, was a hint from Master through the driver. He decided to take the banner down that night.
The banner looked like it was really high when he saw it in the daytime, but was not high at all once he got there at night. The banner drooped in the middle, so he could easily pull it down with help from the power of Dafa. Master really looks at Dafa disciples' true thoughts, while Master is actually doing everything.
One morning in the summer of 2008, a 72-year-old practitioner was brought to police station after officers spotted her distributing Dafa materials. The head of the station was absent. The officer on duty asked her where she got the materials and also threatened to send her to a brainwashing center or detention center. The practitioner was calm and said sincerely, "Would you read the flyers first? They are all about saving lives.” She also warned him not to persecute Dafa disciples, stating that the former police station head who was involved in persecuting Falun Gong had died at a young age after suffering from liver cancer.
She continued telling him the facts while sending righteous thoughts. Later, the police agreed to release her after making her pay two thousand yuan as a "deposit" before she was released. At noon that day the police head contacted the family to come and get the deposit back.
In 2006 a practitioner couple was on the run after they posted flyers at a detention center when armed police discovered them. As the couple prepared to leave separately to divert their attention, a taxi stopped right in front of them. As the police car approached from behind, the couple sent righteous thoughts and asked Master for protection. The taxi eventually drove into an alley after making several detours. It stopped at a bus stop at the end of the alley. The bus would take them straight home. When the couple jumped out of the taxi, the bus was ready to leave. The two got on the bus and were out of the woods.
We can see Master’s arrangements and feel Master’s protection every time and everywhere. Grateful practitioners know, “Those are examples of the power of Dafa, all done by Master. ”
In the fall of 2005 four women practitioners—two close to 60, and the other two in their 70s—went to their hometown more than a hundred miles away to distribute informational materials. After they stepped off the bus, they had to walk a long distance to remote villages. They put up Dafa posters as they walked until 3:00 pm, without noticing that that they had not had lunch yet.
One of them women suddenly felt tired and ask to rest. They thought that she might be hungry, but once she sat down she turned pale, her lips darkened, and she sweat profusely. A practitioner’s first thought is very important. Although she was uncomfortable she had a strong sense of awareness. She asked Master for protection. After a while she slowly recovered. She said to herself, "The old forces cannot get me down. Even if the old forces don't want me to post Dafa flyers, I will do it." She then got up and continued putting up flyers.
These experiences have made practitioners aware that righteous mindfulness is very important. Righteous thoughts and actions can resolve all crises.
