Why They Protested Against Jiang (Part II)

(Clearwisdom.net) From October 23 to October 25, 2002, around 2,000 Falun Gong practitioners came to Houston, U.S.A and held a series of peaceful activities, protesting Jiang's persecution of Falun Gong. News reporters interviewed some practitioners. Below are some of the stories.

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(4) Former Chinese Classmate, "I Had No Choice"

Mr. Li came from Washington, D.C. and is around 40 years of age. He told the news reporter, "For the past three years, since July 1999, many practitioners have been tortured to death, more than 500 death cases have been verified, all dying within a period of 1,000 days, which means that every second day one Falun Gong practitioner dies as a result of the persecution." He added, "My good friends and former colleagues are also among the persecuted practitioners, being persecuted merely for telling people the truth. As for me, I only needed to apply for some time off from my job and spend a little money, which is no big deal."

Mr. Li also told the reporter an interesting story, "At around 11:00 a.m. yesterday, October 23, the group of people hired to 'welcome' Jiang slowly arrived. Suddenly, a member in the welcoming group said, 'Oh my God, is that you?' He was my former classmate whom I haven't seen for several years. After we talked for a while he told me, 'I truly admire you guys. I joined this 'welcome group' because I didn't have a choice. Our group didn't have enough funding."

(5) Young Canadian Man: "My Grades Won't Be Affected"

A Western practitioner, Jason, is a sophomore at Toronto University's Department of Engineering. In order to participate in this peaceful protest, he took a bus to Chicago and then a plane to Houston. When the reporter asked him whether these activities would affect his schoolwork, Jason explained, "In fact, I had two midterms this week. When I explained to my professor why I had to leave class to participate in these activities, he showed great understanding and agreed to postpone the midterm to next week, though he usually doesn't do that. This will allow me time to study after the conclusion of these activities, so my grades should not be affected."

Jason said prior to experiencing the benefits of Falun Gong he had health problems. After cultivation, his health as well as his immune system greatly improved. For the past three years he did not need to take any medicine. Jason said with sincerity, "I know from first-hand experience that Jiang's propaganda about Falun Gong is completely untrue. I absolutely cannot accept the suppression and persecution against Falun Gong. I came here because I want people to know how much Jiang is responsible for this persecution."

Jason also told the reporter that in November of last year, he went to Tiananmen Square with other Western practitioners from 11 different countries for a peaceful sit-in protest, where they unfurled a huge banner reading, "Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance." They did this in order to tell the Chinese people that Falun Gong is welcomed everywhere in the world, and the world is paying attention to the persecution against Falun Gong in China.

Jason told the reporter further that during the protest across from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago, many "welcome group" members stood beside the practitioners. Many of them were young students like him, except they had been deluded by Jiang's government's vicious lies and bore enmity toward Falun Gong. Jason said, "Looking at their young faces, I wanted from the depth of my heart to tell them that Falun Gong has brought people physical and spiritual health. I wanted to tell them, 'Jiang is illegally persecuting Falun Gong! Don't listen to his lies and don't hate Falun Gong, because that will be bad for you.'"

He purified his mind and his surrounding environment by sending forth righteous. Then he turned toward the welcoming group and began singing. The lyrics to one of the songs, "I came for you," are as follows: "From thousands of mountains and rivers, I came for you once and again; I came for you because I love you; precious Chinese people, please listen to my heart. Falun Dafa is good, Falun Dafa is good..."

Jason said he sang with his full heart and many people listened attentively. He saw some Chinese students' eyes brim with tears.

At the reporter's request, Jason sang the song again in Chinese, "From thousands of mountains and rivers, I came for you once and again. Precious Chinese people, to you the whole world is saying, Falun Dafa is good, Falun Dafa is good, please don't miss this opportunity for ten thousands lives..." His voice was pure and sincere. Even though his voice was not very loud, it was quite touching.

(6) "Does the Persecution Have to Do With Norway?"

Regina is a Western practitioner from Germany. She lives in Oslo, Norway, and is a doctor studying genetics. She has practiced Falun Gong for almost four years. When she heard of Jiang's plans to go to Houston, she immediately decided to come to join the protest. She stood across the front door of Inter-Continental Hotel where Jiang was staying and unfurled a banner saying, "Immediately stop persecuting Falun Gong."

The reporter asked, "What does the persecution in China have to do with Norway?" "A great deal," Regina said. "Jiang not only spreads lies in China. He creates slander through Chinese consulates and embassies in countries around the world, including Norway. Many websites belonging to Chinese overseas consulates include a special section with Falun Gong-slandering articles." Regina also told the reporter that she had a Western friend who wanted to practice Falun Gong but her husband stopped her because two years ago he saw Jiang's group's vicious attacks against Falun Gong on the Internet. Regina told the reporter that the spread of lies has poisoned the mind of some of her colleagues as well as other people to a different extent, and it has also affected her personal life.

Regina said that in September of this year, she told the above-mentioned friend her own experience, and in the end that friend not only abandoned misunderstandings about Falun Gong, but began cultivation in Dafa and enjoyed the many benefits brought about by Falun Gong. Regina is still worried, though, and told the reporter, "In many places around the world, many people are still being deluded by lies about Falun Gong. Falun Gong advocates 'Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance.' These people truly need our help."

(To be continued)