(Minghui.org) A Falun Gong practitioner was arrested in the first half of 2016 for distributing Falun truth-clarifying materials. After local practitioners heard about the incident, they mailed appeal letters to the relevant law organizations.
While practitioners were still discussing whether to hire a defense lawyer for the detained practitioner, I had done so without consulting with them. The other practitioners didn't know the lawyer but agreed with my recommendation.
The day before meeting the lawyer, I prepared materials to be used in the rescue effort. I first wrote a case history letter, similar to one I had done a few years ago on behalf of a relative, which helped publicize the arrest.
After signing the contract with the lawyer, he accompanied me, a family member of the detained practitioner, and some practitioners to the detention center. Although I was asked to discuss the letter with the arrested practitioner’s family, I got cold feet and gave it to the lawyer. It was not a good decision, as the case history was confiscated by the guards who threatened to make trouble.
I was surprised and thought that there must be something wrong for this to happen.Whatever the reason, it was illegal for the guards to confiscate the letter; we should not acknowledge it. After some discussion, the lawyer and the family member of the detained practitioner understood my intent. But I still felt that there was something I did wrong.
After talking over the matter with other practitioners, I found my fundamental attachment concerning this issue. First, I used this same rescue method several years ago, but most likely, it was not suitable in 2016. Besides, I wrote the case history with the mentality of pointing a finger at others and proving myself right.
I did not focus on explaining the facts to those in the law departments and only worried about rescuing this practitioner. Additionally, I also felt it was wrong for the lawyer to be threatened. I was determined to be more rational next time and communicate with the other practitioners in advance.
We thought it would be beneficial to find the contact information of the preliminary judge in order to mail truth-clarification letters and make phone calls.
The lawyer tried to find the information, but the guards refused the request, and the lawyer did not want to press the issue any further. Without cooperation from the lawyer, however, it would be difficult to make in-roads.
Another practitioner pointed out that my being so set on the rescue effort could have resulted in the lawyer acting negatively. This made me realize that I had not been calm. I didn't let the Fa guide me and only relied on my past experience.
When the goal was not reached, I reacted as an ordinary person and was only thinking about the rescue effort. I became upset when the lawyer did not cooperate with me. This opened a loophole for the evil factors to interfere with me. I had to do the opposite by letting go of my selfish notions and clarifying the truth to those who work in the legal field.
There were no bad thoughts in my mind when I returned with the lawyer to the detention center. The lawyer changed his attitude and tried to set up a meeting with the preliminary judge. This time, the family member of the detained practitioner wrote a case history, as well as a letter to the preliminary judge. Both letters were later put into the case file by the judge.
The family hired another lawyer. We then decided to mail truth-clarification letters to the procuratorate. Additionally, the lawyer let us read the case profile, which was helpful to expose the reason for the arrest.
When the lawyer met with the detained practitioner, several practitioners stayed nearby to send righteous thoughts. We exchanged our thoughts and realized we should not solely focus on the attachment of rescuing the detained practitioner but consider those working in the legal departments. If we could do everything based on the Fa and treat everyone with compassion, their kind side may come to the forefront.
We also recognized the importance of clarifying the truth to those in the procuratorate, especially the young female prosecutor who worked on the case. I was asked to write her a letter and reminded to write from the basis of the Fa. I learned that the prosecutor was responsible for the sentencing of another practitioner. Therefore, it was not enough to just talk from the angle of karmic law and retribution, but in a way to inspire her good thoughts,
So we included some articles from the Minghui website, such as one titled: “Falun Gong Brings Hope to Desperate Mother and Her Dying Son,” a very moving story.
I wrote at the beginning of the letter, “I truly hope you can learn more about those who practice Falun Gong, and why they practice it. This will inform you about why they persist in their faith in such a hostile environment. Please temporarily put aside your point of view and walk into those practitioners' inner worlds to see what they think.”
After mailing that letter, I felt the communication with the prosecutor had improved a little. I realized it was just a routine case for her. If she knew a little about the practitioner's life, her compassion might be awakened.
I wrote another letter with the detained practitioner's help – the practitioner's life story. It was just what an ordinary person would read, including experiences from the Great Cultural Revolution, the pursuit of a career, and the experiences of suffering after being sent a forced labor camp and prison.
The detained practitioner's case was returned to the police department after it had been held up by the procuratorate for several months. This, to some degree, prevented the practitioner from facing further persecution. This was the result of Master's support, as well as cooperation by local and overseas practitioners. The case is still going on, but I have gained the experience needed for future rescue efforts.
During the rescue process, I first did everything based on everyday notions and was focused too much on helping the detained practitioner. But, I learned the value of cooperating with other practitioners and writing appeal letters based on the principles of the Fa.