(Minghui.org) Mr. Zhou Xiangyang, a Falun Dafa practitioner, was tortured until he nearly died in Gangbei Prison in Tianjin. After hearing that he had been tortured, many residents of Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, defended Falun Dafa, stating that it is an honest cultivation practice and indicated their disapproval of the corrupt and ruthless Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They participated in a signature drive that called for Mr. Zhou's release.
Mr. Zhou was released from prison because of strong public displeasure and pressure exerted on the authorities by Mr. Zhou's family and other ordinary citizens.
Despite Mr. Zhou's release, the signature drive and associated pressure on the city's authorities continues, because Ms. Li Shanshan, Mr. Zhou's wife, is still held in prison. She has been arrested for writing a letter calling for the release of her husband.
After witnessing years of unjust persecution, Chinese citizens are courageously expressing their overwhelming support for imprisoned Dafa practitioners.
People Moved and Indignant
One villager in his 50s said, “I broke into tears when I read the couple's story, titled 'A Young Couple's Ordeal.' This is the first time in my life that I broke down in tears. If this is true, the CCP is completely dishonorable. Even a murderer is shown more compassion. How can they torture a good person?”
Another man, in his 60s, said that the CCP has been ruthless since its existence. He hoped that Mr. Zhou Xiangyang would soon be released.
One woman was unable to sleep after reading Ms. Li Shanshan's letter. She couldn't fathom what was happening and why righteousness has been replaced by evil.
One person said, “The whole issue centers around practicing Falun Dafa. How can they treat practitioners of the practice like that? I'll sign (the petition) … Falun Dafa is good. Good people are being persecuted. Everyone should sign the petition!”
Someone told Mr. Zhou's family that they were supporting the efforts to get Ms. Li released and that everyone they knew had signed the petition after reading an earlier letter written by Ms. Li Shanshan calling for her husband's release.
A family matriarch in her 80s asked her entire clan to sign the petition, and one person asked his colleagues at work to read Ms. Li's letter and sign the petition.
Falun Dafa Practitioners Are Good People
The signature drive brought out the goodness and compassion in many people.
One man said, “Falun Dafa practitioners are good people. We have to save good people. What are we waiting for? My entire family already signed the petition.”
“The Zhou family are good people, and all my family already signed the petition,” said a woman. A CCP cadre in his 70s said, “Hurry up and sign. My wife and I already signed.” Another woman said that she never hesitated to sign this type of petition.
Some people even courageously spoke up for everyone to hear: “If everyone practices Falun Dafa, the standards of behavior in our village would improve. Everyone in my family signed the petition.”
A couple in their 60s said, “We'll surely sign the petition. Falun Dafa practitioners are good people, very few CCP members are good. Under the CCP regime, a murderer can be exonerated by paying a bribe, while good people such as Falun Dafa practitioners are persecuted!”
People from all age groups spoke up for Falun Dafa. A 60-year-old man said that rescuing practitioners is a good thing and he had no qualms about signing a petition to rescue them. A young couple said, “Falun Dafa practitioners are good people. If everyone in our village would practice Falun Dafa, no crops would be stolen.” A fruit vendor in her 50s signed the petition because she had learned from experience that every Dafa practitioner is kind.
In Liutaizhuang, Changli County, a 70-year-old long-time CCP member renounced the Party after he read the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. He said, “The CCP is just like the Nine Commentaries says. It is not the Party we rooted for. We have been deceived for decades. It's terrible.”
He continued, “All Falun Dafa practitioners are good. I certainly will sign the petition to rescue good people.” He then asked the person next to him to sign the petition.
A man in his 30s is associated with Falun Dafa practitioners. He understands that they are good people. In his eyes, those that persecute and torture practitioners are worse than evil. He wanted to take part in rescuing Falun Dafa practitioners and signed the petition.
One elderly couple said that they believe that good is rewarded by good and evil is met with retribution. One of them remarked, “Accumulating virtue and doing kind things are good deeds. When we sign the petition, we will gain virtue.”
Many people in China understand that Falun Dafa practitioners are outstanding citizens.
I Wanted to Rescue Them Because Dafa Saved My Life
One villager who has benefited from Falun Dafa said, “Falun Dafa saved my life. I'll sign the petition to rescue its practitioners.” Then he explained, “One rainy day, my trailer ran over a big pothole and the steering wheel came off.” He was panicking as there was no way to prevent the trailer from rolling into a river. He shouted, “Falun Dafa is good!” and the trailer immediately stopped.
A 38-year-old woman from Xinji Town, Changli County, said, “Falun Dafa is truly amazing. A few months ago during my second pregnancy, I vomited everything I ate, showing traces of blood. I loudly recited 'Falun Dafa is good' for about ten minutes. Within a short time, the symptoms began to disappear, and within a day I was fine. I personally witnessed the extraordinary power of Falun Dafa. I'll sign the petition to rescue practitioners.”
A middle-aged street vendor also witnessed the power of Falun Dafa after repeating “Falun Dafa is good.” He explained, “One day I lost control of my truck. I quickly recited 'Falun Dafa is good.' The truck stopped and I only experienced a small loss. I'll sign the petition to rescue Falun Dafa practitioners.”
Commenting on the Goodness of Practitioners
In their efforts to rescue Mr. Zhou Xiangyang, his older brother, Mr. Zhou Xiangdang (who practices Falun Dafa); his sister-in-law, Ms. Li Xiangling; and three other practitioners were illegally detained in November 2011. During that time, villagers were outraged and spoke of the kindness done by Mr. Zhou Xiangdang.
A business owner said, “There are very few people as good as Mr. Zhou Xiangdang in Changli County. He is honest and dependable. When repairing electric devices, he works hard and doesn't charge customers for used parts. He doesn't neglect his responsibilities.
“The CCP only arrests good people. Xiangdang and his wife are good people. They have not violated any laws. Why were they arrested? This Party is really lawless. The CCP is really finished,” said a 50-year-old man.
One man, speaking loudly so everyone could hear, said, “It is difficult to find a good person like Xiangdang. He doesn't charge customers when he repairs electric devices if no new part is added. It is unreasonable to arrest such a good person. The CCP will arrest anyone, whether that person committed a crime or not. We citizens are even deprived of our constitutional rights, such as launching an appeal.”
So many people had something to say about the exemplary behavior of Mr. Zhou. “Mr. Zhou Xiangdang is a good person. People living in Houmatuo Village need him. We should also get a petition going for him,” one woman said.
Mr. Zhou's neighbor said, “I feel sad that their home was seized and they are imprisoned. It is so unfair! The CCP is really losing the people's hearts!”
