(Minghui.org) If you visited the Liberty Bell today, chances are you would see a 74-year-old lady in glowing spirits introducing Falun Gong to tourists – she's there every day, even on Christmas weekend. Her goal is to share her own unique story about her freedom, her family, and her struggle for liberty.
How a Daughter and a Granddaughter Lost Their Freedom
“I enjoy the freedom of speech here; because of it, I'm able to introduce Falun Gong to people in this country,” said Ms. Tan. “However, my daughter Cui Hong and my granddaughter living in Beijing, China, were arrested for doing the same thing I'm doing. My daughter has even been sentenced to prison.”
According to Mrs. Tan, her daughter and granddaughter were distributing introductory materials about Falun Gong on June 3, 2014, when they were illegally arrested by police from the Xicheng District Police Station.
The court held a trial on November 24, without notifying their family members or attorney about the trial's location. The families weren't allowed to enter the courtroom. Judge Guo Yajun also personally attacked the attorney when answering the attorney's questions, and stopped Cui Hong from speaking in her own defense.
The judge didn't announce any decision during the trial. However, Cui received a notice on December 19 that she had been sentenced to three years and six months in prison. She is preparing for an appeal.
“What's wrong with telling people how we have benefited from practicing Falun Gong?” asked Ms. Tan, who is concerned for her daughter's safety in the prison. “Recent physical exams found a spot on my daughter's lung. She also showed symptoms of high blood pressure and chest pain. I'm very worried about her.”
Exposing the Persecution
Tourists from China read Falun Gong display boards and take pictures
The Liberty Bell, as a symbol of American freedom, attracts thousands of tourists every day – many from China. Mrs. Tan and fellow practitioners persistently try to inform them about the persecution in China.
Mrs. Tan tells them in detail of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) history of persecuting different groups of people, and how the former head of the CCP, Jiang Zemin, insisted on persecuting Falun Gong out of his jealousy over the popularity of the practice.
“The Chinese people don't know these things clearly, as they have been deceived by the CCP's lies about Falun Gong, and are hateful towards it as a result,” said Ms. Tan. She believes the stance people take on this issue will determine their future. “It will be terrible for individuals still associated with the CCP heaven eliminates it.”
It is because of the efforts of Ms. Tan and others like her, that many people have gradually gained an understanding of the true nature of the CCP and the persecution. These people declared their independence from the CCP and its related organizations by officially renouncing their memberships.
Even though she doesn't speak very good English, Mrs. Tan tries her best to communicate her message with tourists around the world and distributes printed materials in English. She and her fellow practitioners have received warm support from countless people.
An elderly couple from a Mediterranean country told practitioners, “It's so great you are here! What you are doing is in accordance with the spirit of liberty!”
A local resident was very touched by the stories of practitioners. He said he was from Poland. His parents had a similar experience of being persecuted under communist power, and he also knew that many Chinese people were working under poor conditions in China without their basic human rights.
“It tears me up inside!” he said. “No matter which nation they live in, which language they speak, it's terrible that they can be persecuted this way!”
An Asian-American encouraged practitioners, saying, “Great job! Keep it up!”
Mrs. Tan was very touched by their support.
She said, “We volunteer and share this information with people every weekend, rain or shine. We don't receive a penny for this. All we wish for is a bright future for people.”
Mrs. Tan's gray hair flies in the chilly wind, almost as if to say, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” (Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley)
