The Lord Mayor of Coventry joins Falun Gong practitioners at the City Centre Appeal

Coventry is a major city in the UK and well known for its car manufacturing Industry. Falun Gong practitioners in the city have recently started a regular, local practice session and given an invited seminar on the peaceful practice and the persecution by the Jiang regime. Last month, the practitioners applied to the city council for permission to hold a public practice in the City Centre to raise public awareness and was given approval straight away. Invited by the practitioners, the Lord Mayor of Coventry replied quickly to indicate her wish to attend

On 16 December 2000, practitioners gathered in a busy square in the center of Coventry on a cold, clear Saturday morning. After setting up the familiar array of golden yellow banners, they began to perform the exercises and hand out materials. Many Christmas shoppers found time to watch the exercises, take leaflets, sign the petition, and talk to the practitioners.

At midday the Mayor of Coventry arrived in ceremonial dress, and spent half an hour watching the practitioners peacefully performing the exercises, listening attentively, and expressing her heartfelt concern for the practitioners in China. As she learned more about the brutalities, and about Truth-Compassion-Forbearance, she agreed that exposing the persecution was very important and understood why the practitioners are so committed to exposing the truth.

The Mayor was touched to see a seven year old girl practicing with the others, and saddened to hear that her aunt was currently in a labor camp for practicing Falun Gong. She was very clear that this was an issue, which should be addressed by Politicians, and thus was very glad to hear of the support from various MP's, the petition to the Prime Minister, and of the actions of the Foreign Office. She said she would officially write to local MP's in her capacity as Mayor to spur them into taking action: saying this, she picked up some materials to send to them. The manner of her speech and actions was very positive and genuine. What was most encouraging was her interest in the three words, "truth, compassion, forbearance" A few times, she mentioned that she felt there was something very special about these three words. With such affinity, it was not surprising that she was able to give her whole hearted support.

The day before, BBC Radio Coventry interviewed a practitioner about the forthcoming activity and produced a recorded program based on the interview. The following morning, the radio station approach the Falun Gong practitioner again and made a live interview program. The presenter asked many in depth questions about the persecution in China and heard the extremely disturbing case of a university lecturer, Zhao Xin, who died earlier in the week of her severe injuries inflicted by brutal police in Beijing. During the City Centre practice event, a reporter from the largest local newspaper The Coventry Evening Telegraph came to cover the event and interviewed several practitioners. One shopper asked whether our practice was the one mentioned on the radio in the morning and expressed great shock at the vicious persecution and hope for the early release of innocent practitioners.

Practitioners in UK

December 19, 2000