(Minghui.org) A 71-year-old woman in Jilin City, Jilin Province, was detained for two days for posting information about the novel coronavirus epidemic.
As Minghui.org has published stories of people recovering from coronavirus infections after reciting the phrases, “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is good,” Ms. Zhang Junying put up a poster with messages encouraging people to try the phrases for their safety. She was reported to police and arrested on February 16, 2020.
Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient spiritual and meditation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Known for its tremendous health benefits, it quickly became popular across China after its public introduction in May 1992.
When the Chinese communist regime estimated that around 70-100 million Chinese were practicing Falun Gong, however, they ordered a campaign against the practice in July 1999 and spread demonizing propaganda against Falun Gong to justify the persecution.
Since then, many Falun Gong practitioners in China have persisted in telling people about the persecution of their faith. Some practitioners also encourage people to recite the phrases “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is good” as it has been shown to bring blessings to those who believe in the healing power of Falun Dafa.
After Ms. Zhang was arrested, officers from Beijinglu Police Station interrogated her and asked where she got the posters. She refused to answer.
As local detention centers aren’t taking people during the coronavirus epidemic, the officers held Ms. Zhang in the police station for two days and extorted 1,000 yuan from her family before sending her home on February 18. The officers searched every room in her home before leaving. They claimed that they would return the 1,000 yuan after the epidemic is over.
Just two weeks before Ms. Zhang’s arrest, Mr. Sun Zhiwen, another Falun Gong practitioner in Jilin City, was also arrested and briefly held in the police station for putting up similar posters, which the police claimed to be “reactionary slogans.”
For practicing Falun Gong, Ms. Zhang was arrested five times in the past and given four labor camp terms for a total of 5.5 years. She was beaten, forced to do unpaid labor, and deprived of sleep while serving time. She lost most of her vision, and her hair turned gray. Her husband divorced her in 2010, fearing being implicated in the persecution.
Related reports:
Jilin Man Arrested for Putting Up Posters On How to Stay Safe Amidst Coronavirus Epidemic
Ms. Zhang Junying from Jilin City, Jilin Province, Illegally Arrested Again
The Persecution Suffered by Practitioner Ms. Zhang Junying in Jilin Province
