Issued by Clearwisdom Net

On the morning of Sunday, May 22, 2005, the annual Singapore "Big Walk" began. At 7:30 a.m., tens of thousands of sports and health enthusiasts lined up outside the national stadium and set off. The atmosphere was quite festive.

On this day, Singapore Falun Gong practitioners appeared in large numbers among the constant stream of people. They wore yellow shirts imprinted with Chinese and English words, "Falun Gong" or "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" and held colorful balloons. Some held yellow banners with the words, "Falun Gong is good", "Falun Gong brings physical and mental health to a hundred million people", "Falun Gong is practiced in 78 countries in the world" and so on. The Falun Gong practitioners' waist drum troupe led the way, consisting of dozens of enthusiastic practitioners. The sound of the waist drums resounded in the sky and the practitioners' steps were firm and powerful. Several photographers were busy taking pictures of the procession, which received warm applause from the spectators.

Singapore Falun Gong practitioners' procession in the "Big Walk"

This group of practitioners displayed the beauty of Falun Gong and the power of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to the people lining the streets. "Falun Gong walks together with you!" Peacefully, confidently and calmly, the Singapore Falun Gong practitioners moved forward under the clear sky.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/5/23/102443.html

On May 14, 2005, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Program on Human Rights and Justice held a large symposium entitled, "Forced Labor in the Global Economy." Attendees of the symposium were from across the USA and the majority of them were scholars, human rights leaders, government officials and media focusing on human rights, law and forced labor. Among those who participated were Deputy U.S. Secretary of Labor Steven Law, chief author of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Roger Plant, Terry Collingsworth of the International Labor Rights Fund and Stephen King, Director of the BBC World Service Trust.

Outside the symposium hall, Falun Gong practitioners staged reenactments of the Chinese Communist Regime's forced labor and torture methods. Among the topics of discussion at the symposium was China's dumping cheap merchandise produced by forced labor.

1. The display of products made by forced labor and the reenactment of torture methods in China shocked symposium participants

In one area of the reenactment of torture methods, there was a large iron cage with two women practitioners with make-up resembling cuts and bruises on their faces. The women were sewing and preparing products for export, such as toys, clothes and chopsticks. The "World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong" (WOIPFG) made eight large posters to show various products being exported that are produced by imprisoned practitioners in Chinese forced labor camps. Graphs and legends on the posters explained the statistics. Visitors were shocked by the torture means depicted. Many said that they knew there was slave labor in China but never thought it was so rampant and that it was used to persecute Falun Gong practitioners.

People thanked the Falun Gong practitioners for their explanation of the facts of the persecution and brought press clippings on the forced labor of Falun Gong practitioners to the conference hall to share with others. People were indignant at the Chinese Communist regime's trampling of human rights, and its damaging the balance of trade and the U.S.' labor interests. They expressed the need to take counter measures. One speaker, Mr. Kevin Bales, director of Free the Slaves, accepted the report summary on slave labor prepared by WOIPFG and said he would make further investigations.

2. Major discussion on China's slave labor

The first half of the symposium was hosted by WBUR-TV, a well known station in Boston. In a question and answer session, a reporter asked, "The slave labor issue in China is encouraged and protected by the whole country's apparatus. For example, the labor camps producing slave labor merchandise get tax deductions and assistance in exporting their goods. China's slave labor is much like the Falun Gong practitioners' reenactment outside the conference hall. Such merchandise, exported to our country, presents unequal competition. What can U.S. labor unions, human rights organizations and government do?"

Though there were a few attendees taking the position that "China's reform is a process and better than before," Terry Collingsworth of the International Labor Rights Fund pointed out, "If we don't talk about the rampant slave labor in China but discuss slave labor in a small village in India, our efforts will be in vain. So far there has been no government to take actual countermeasures against China. But we have to do this."

3. The largest U.S. labor union asked the Bush administration to take action

It was reported that the largest U.S. labor union, the AFL-CIO, passed a petition resolution that represented thirteen million members, including six million workers in the manufacturing industry. Based on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the resolution pointed out that the Chinese communist regime continuously violates its labor force's human rights and as a result of the unequal trade, the United States lost 727,000 jobs. The resolution mentioned that the Chinese communist regime prohibits workers from forming independent labor unions, and uses slave labor and child labor. The Bush administration is requested to take action and countermeasures to the unfair practices of the Chinese regime.

Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2005/5/20/102236.html

During the Ukraine Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference, in order to commemorate the more than 2000 practitioners who died in the Chinese Communist regime's persecution, on the evening of May 21, nearly 100 practitioners from Ukraine, Russia and the Baltic Sea gathered at the Chinese Embassy in downtown Kiev to hold a candlelight vigil. They protested against the Chinese communist regime's suppression against Falun Gong in China.

During the activity, practitioners handed out a large quantity of truth-clarifying flyers and collected signatures of those who support their activities.

Nearly 100 practitioners protest against the Chinese communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong in front of the Chinese Embassy in Kiev.

On the 15th of May 2005, practitioners from Madrid went to Alcala de Hernares to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, promote the practice and tell people about the persecution in China. Alcala is a historic city, which is listed as a world cultural heritage city by the United Nations. The University of Alcala is one of the oldest universities in Spain. When you set foot in Alcala, you can see cranes in twos or threes spreading their wings and cruising in the blue sky among white clouds, composing a beautiful scene.

Practitioners heshi (pressing hands together in front of the chest) to wish Teacher a happy birthday!

Demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises

Falun Gong practitioners learned that it was also St. Isidro's Day, the protector of Madrid. A stage was erected in the square whilst drummers, a band and performers were busy preparing, tuning instruments and practicing. The square was buzzing with activity. The practitioners chose their spot and began the activities in celebration of World Falun Dafa Day.

Clarifying the truth to people

Students shocked at the persecution occurring in China

The practitioners gathered at the centre of the square and prepared to set up the photos of Falun Gong being practiced all over the world on one side and the photos of the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners on the other. As soon as the first photo of the Falun Gong exercises was set up, people came to learn. When practitioners found out that many of the local people had not heard of Falun Gong, they were really anxious. However, they worked with each other in an orderly manner and took their positions. Some demonstrated the exercises, some distributed leaflets and some made speeches in front of the petition desk. The warm spring wind carried the Falun Gong music of "Pudu" and Jishi" into every corner of the square, attracting groups of tourists and passers-by to come and find out more.

Just like the old, simple but elegant ancient architecture in Alcala, people in the city are honest and kind. Some shed tears when they saw the pictures of Falun Gong practitioners being persecuted. Some took out their purses to make donations. When they learned that Falun Gong does not accept donations, they eagerly asked how they could help practitioners.

People who learn about the truth sign the petition to support Falun Gong.

People who learn about the truth sign the petition to support Falun Gong.

This gentleman shown in the picture was blind. He came to the desk to sign the petition after hearing the broadcast. He signed his name with a practitioner's help and asked the practitioner to fill in his ID number and address for him. The brother and sister in the middle photo signed their names after having learned the truth about the prosecution of Falun Gong in China. The grandmother in the right photo told her granddaughter to sign her name.

A pair of Chinese brother and sister also signed the petition after learning about the persecution in China.

The grandma asks her granddaughter to sign the petition.

A Cuban man, who saw the pictures and leaflet, told the practitioner that he also lived in a country under Communist authoritarian rule and was very clear about the communist party's brutality and evilness. He also said that the time for the communist party to collapse is not far away.

Almost all the children who passed by showed a special liking for the photos of Falun Gong being practiced around the world and they looked for a long time.

After over six hours of celebrating and promoting Falun Gong, the practitioners' faces were shining and red with glowing health. Finally, the practitioners unfolded a banner inscribed with "Greetings Teacher" and put their palms together to send greetings to Falun Gong's founder Mr. Li Hongzhi. World Falun Dafa Day is on the same day as Mr. Li Hongzhi's birthday.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2005/5/17/102055.html

On 20th May 2005, the first "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" International Art Exhibition opened to the public in the Cambridge Union. The President of Cambridge Union and a representative of Falun Gong practitioners delivered speeches. With explanations offered by volunteer guides, many people were deeply touched by the artistic power exhibited by the paintings. They were also moved by the practitioners' uncompromising courage.

Ribbon-cutting at the opening ceremony

People viewing the art exhibition

The Cambridge Union is a student society of the University of Cambridge located in the centre of town and claims to be the oldest student society in the world. It has more than 4000 members. Jaffar Khan, the President of the Cambridge Union, said in the opening ceremony, "The Union has always been a supporter of freedom; freedom of expression and artistic freedom." He told the audience that Cambridge Union is "pleased and honoured to be the first in the UK to display this exhibit", later commenting on how lovely the pictures are. It is reported that the University of Cambridge will offer the place for the exhibition for four weeks free of charge.

A member of the Cambridge Union, Dr. Kenneth Martin, was very supportive of the exhibit. He said that he is deeply touched by the Falun Gong practitioners' persistence. He quoted a piece of Chinese idiom, "dripping water wears through rock" and said that he believed as long as we keep up our persistent effort, history will demonstrate that "Wrong is wrong, and right will prevail."

A local Falun Gong practitioner spoke about the persecution in China, which inspired a number of these paintings, saying, "The most recent United Nations report on torture and detention shows clearly that China is the worst perpetrator of human rights violations in the world. They persecute Christians, Muslims and Tibetans as well; but this report shows 67% of China's violations are against people who practice Falun Gong." According to the introduction, the authors of these art works are all practitioners of Falun Gong. Four of them personally experienced the brutal persecution and torture.

An older person who came to the UK to visit his family signed with emotion after viewing the exhibition, "This art exhibition is really great! It truly revealed the persecution taking place in China. Falun Gong practitioners are really remarkable!"

A middle-aged woman stood in front of several paintings depicting the persecution suffered by Falun Gong practitioners' children and viewed them for a long time. Her eyes were wet when she talked to this reporter, "It is really touching! Seeing the child shedding tears in the painting, I could not help shedding tears myself. It is so horrible!"

A western gentleman said after visiting the exhibition, "Although I do not practice any form of Qigong, I clearly feel that the energy field is really strong here."

The exhibition is to tour around the UK.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2005/5/22/102385.html

In order to rescue orphans who have suffered severely due to the persecution of their parents, the World Committee to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners (WCRPFGP) successfully held a charity concert in Montreal on May 16, 2005. The response from the Montreal audience was very warm.

The Lotus Art Troupe performs a Dai Ethnic dance, "Joy"

World renowned tenor, Guan Guimin

Soprano Bai Xue's vocal solo, "Thinking of My Homeland" and "To My Fellow Countrymen""

On the evening of May 16, more than 400 local residents enjoyed high quality performances from a group of oriental and western artists at the Montreal Oscar Peterson Concert Center. The performers include Alto Yang Jiansheng, Soprano Bai Xue, World renowned tenor Guan Guimin, the Toronto Lotus Art Troupe, renowned flute performer Chen Ningfang, as well as local Chinese and western artists. Waves of warm applause showed the audience's appreciation of the spectacular performances by these artists.

Ms. Yang, a Montreal contact person of the WCRPFGP, was more than happy to see the great support from the audience. She thanked the Montreal residents' concern to orphans of Falun Gong practitioners who have been tortured to death during the ongoing persecution. According to Yang, during six years of persecution, some children were directly abused physically and mentally for their practice of Falun Gong, and some have even been murdered. There are more children who have become orphaned due to their practitioner parent(s) being tortured to death. It has been confirmed that there are more than 200 orphans of this kind, and 17 of them are related to Canadian residents.

Cello solo, "Longing" by Chen Rutang

Zheng playing "Joyful Deities" by a Montreal artist

Montreal artist Robert performs "All For You"

Mr. Chen Rutang, whose son was rescued to the U.S. by the WCRPFGP, performed a cello piece entitled "Longing," which he composed for this concert. The rhythms depicted the sadness of parents who miss their helpless children, and revealed the tremendous suffering of innocent people and orphans caused by the genocide launched by the Chinese Communist Party against Falun Gong.

Ms. Yang expressed her deepest appreciation to the WCRPFGP for the hard work of the artists who used their exquisite art and great compassion to reach out to the Montreal citizens on behalf of the orphans. The purpose of this concert was to raise the public's awareness of the orphans of Falun Gong practitioners and consequently strengthen the efforts to rescue these orphans to North America to live normal lives.

It was reported that this concert raised about CAD $7000, and that the proceeds after expenses will be deposited to a "Rescue the Orphans" fund.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/5/20/102228.html

On April 17 2005, after receiving an invitation from the organizers of the Boombamela Festival earlier, five Israeli Falun Gong practitioners arrived at the festival. This was the seventh year of the Boombamela Festival, which took place at Nitzanim Beach. The goal of the festival is to bridge boundaries and social taboos through music, creativity and nature.

The Falun Gong practitioners' booth

The practitioners were invited to take part in activities at the "Freedom" site, one intended to raise awareness of human rights violations and providing information about critical issues. During the four-day festival, the practitioners told the festival visitors about the brutal persecution against Falun Gong that is currently taking place in China.

Teaching the Falun Gong exercises

Signing a petition to call for an end to the persecution

Hundreds of visitors signed petitions calling to put an end to the persecution. In addition, the practitioners taught the five Falun Gong exercises to many of the visitors and showed them how to make paper lotus flowers. So many people wanted to participate in the activities that the practitioners' booth was bustling even late at night.

Signing a petition to call for an end to the persecution

Chinese version available at http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2005/5/6/101271.html