August 14, 2001

ST. JOHN'S, NFLD. - They're in Newfoundland asking for help to fight a government they say is persecuting innocent people. They're members of Falun Gong - a movement the Chinese government says is a [Jiang Zemin government's slanderous term omitted].

The group's members say that's far from the truth.

To its followers, Falun Gong is about exercise, meditation, and a better way of life. Practitioners of Falun Gong came to spread that message on Tuesday to Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland, and beyond.

Falun Gong has millions of followers around the world. They call it a spiritual movement, not a religion. But in China, that movement is outlawed, called a [Jiang Zemin government's slanderous term omitted], and Falun Gong members are persecuted.

Alice Huynh practices Falun Gong in Canada. She's part of the group travelling the country, making stops like the one in St. John's. She hopes the students will learn from what they see and hear.

Huynh says all Falun Gong practitioners want is to lead a spiritual life, and be left alone.

The group has a petition asking the Canadian government to help stop the persecution. It hopes to bring the signatures to Ottawa in a few months.

http://stjohns.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2001/08/14/nf_falun010814