(Minghui.org) It takes great courage to stand up against the tyranny of the Chinese communist regime, especially for those who experienced the Cultural Revolution. The stories of three elderly Falun Gong practitioners from Baiyin City, Gansu Province illustrate the power of faith to conquer fear.
Woman in Her 80s Refuses to Give up Falun Gong
The police in Baiyin City arrested Ms. Liao Anan (廖安安), in her 80s, in September 2014 and put her on trial for her belief in Falun Gong in February 2015. The Baiyin District Court sentenced her to five years in prison, but she was instead released on medical parole.
Ms. Liao filed a criminal complaint in July against former Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin who launched the persecution of Falun Gong 16 years ago. That same day and the day after, the police came to put pressure on her to retract her complaint.
Two officers came to harass Ms. Liao again in October. They told her that she shouldn't be contacting other practitioners as it was a violation of her parole. Ms. Liao told them, “I didn't violate any law. My practice is protected by the Constitution and it's the government that violates the Constitution. You should be going after them. I won't give up Falun Gong.”
They threatened her, warning her to think of her family. Ms. Liao told them that she was thinking of them by being a good person according to the principles of Falun Gong.
Ms. Liao told the two to leave her alone and that nothing good could happen to those who persecute good people. The two left without a word.
Man in His 70s Persists in Suing Former Dictator
The security chief at Mr. Jia Peifu's (贾培富) workplace asked to talk to him in the chief's office in November 2015. Two police officers were present in the office and asked whether Mr. Jia was suing Jiang Zemin.
Mr. Jia, 76, said frankly, “I have been persecuted for over a decade because of him. Shouldn't I sue him?” He went on to tell the police and the security chief the facts behind the persecution and how it was illegal. In the end, he told the police that he would continue to sue until Jiang was convicted.
The police officers didn't say much and left after they had Mr. Jia sign the deposition.
80-year-old Woman Accuses the Police of Siding with Corruption
Fan Fengtao and three other police officers arrested Ms. Zhang Zhongchang (张钟常) at her home in December 2015, and quickly had her tried in Baiyin District Court.
Mr. Zhang stated in court that she violated no laws and that practicing Falun Gong was her constitutional right, and she would continue to do so. The judge didn't render a sentence and only had her sign the deposition.
Wanting to see the sentencing document, Ms. Zhang went to the police station to look for officer Fan several times. Fan couldn't produce the document. On December 22, Ms. Zhang went to the police station again. Fan was in his office with several other officers and still couldn't produce the document.
Ms. Zhang reproached Fan, “You have been harassing me for years. You had the prosecutor indict me two years ago and this time you put me on trial through means of deceit. I'm telling you now that I didn't violate any law by practicing Falun Gong. You are the one siding with the corrupt government and violating the law by persecuting good people.”
Ms. Zhang turned around and told others in Fan's office, “Never do what Fan did and conspire with him to persecute Falun Gong practitioners. Remember that what goes around comes around and corrupt individuals will eventually be punished.”
Fan had his head lowered the entire time and said to Ms. Zhang, “Please stop. I am only doing my job...” As Ms. Zhang continued to talk, Fan left the office.
Ms. Zhang went to the police station two days later to look for Fan and was told that he had transferred.
