(Clearwisdom.net)

Saturday, February 9, 2002

Regarding the Flushing Chinese New Year Parade Committee's vote yesterday to bar Falun Gong from participating in the parade, Falun Gong practitioners issued an open letter today denouncing the New York Chinese Consulate's interfering with Falun Gong activities and callously trampling America's freedom of beliefs. The New York police department, in accordance with the citizens' right to freedom of assembly, agreed to let Falun Gong participate in today's parade, completely thwarting Chinese government's politically-motivated attempt at interference.

Prominent members of the Taiwanese community went to the parade site, supporting the participation of Falun Gong in this year's New Year's Parade. They wanted to show that the spirit of freedom so valued in the United States cannot be undermined, especially considering that in the past three years Falun Gong has consistently followed guidelines set forth by the organizers by peacefully participating in the parade.

The Falun Dafa Association held a press conference in Flushing today. Spokesperson Yuan Feng pointed out that Falun Gong practitioners have participated in the Flushing Chinese New Year Parade since 1999, a total of three years. Their goal is to participate in community events and promote understanding among cultures. This is also in accordance with the guidelines of the parade. The parade belongs to all of Flushing. It is everyone's parade, and every group is welcome to participate.

Yuan Feng said, "In past parade activities, the excellent conduct of Falun Gong was seen by everyone in society. Falun Gong is a registered group in New York and has won over 600 proclamations and awards from Congress, state legislatures, and city council members. These proclamations praised Falun Gong as a peaceful and beneficial practice, and they applauded the courage and determination of those Falun Gong practitioners in China who have persisted in 'Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance' under the brutal persecution."

The statement points out that the interference from the Chinese Consulate is blatantly trampling on the freedom of beliefs and the value system of a society built on democracy. It was an obvious attempt to stir up anti-Falun Gong sentiment in society.

The statement emphasized, Falun Gong practitioners cannot allow the Chinese Consulate's deliberate interference to disrupt cultural activities or upset the harmony and unity of the Chinese-American community. It is even more important that the persecution of Falun Gong in Mainland China not be allowed to extend its reach to the overseas Chinese-American community.

Falun Gong states that the practitioners participated in the parade to uphold the freedoms and rights of Flushing residents, to promote unity and peace in society, to stop vile influences from infiltrating the Chinese community, and to ensure that all kind-hearted people do not reject others based on a difference in beliefs. Falun Gong practitioners send their best, most sincere wishes to everyone in society.

A New York policeman on duty for the parade told a reporter, "The United States is a country that values freedom and welcomes all groups to join today's parade and celebration. Falun Gong is no exception."

Over one hundred Falun Gong practitioners wearing yellow jackets or scarves bearing the words "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance" participated in the parade as the final group in the procession. They also held exercises at various sites, garnering the applause of bystanders.