Media Report Excerpt on Falun Gong Peaceful Appeal During WEF

Dow Jones International News: Fewer World Forum Protesters Seen Sunday Than Saturday

February 3, 2002

[...]

On Sunday morning, the only demonstrators in sight were 150 Falun Gong practitioners, bending and stretching in heavy winter coats to an ethereal musical soundtrack.

"We're not here to protest, just to raise awareness about the persecution in mainland China" where the group is banned, said Lucy Zhao, 28, of Toronto.

Police say they have made a point of granting protesters close access Waldorf-Astoria hotel, setting aside designated demonstration areas nearby.

[...]

AP: Few Protesters Out As WEF Winds Down

February 3, 2002

NEW YORK (AP) - Police guarding the World Economic Forum had the streets around the Waldorf-Astoria hotel mostly to themselves Sunday as few protesters braved chilly winds to vent their frustrations at the international business and political leaders inside.

A day after about 7,000 activists for various causes massed near the hotel, the only large group was about 150 yellow-scarved members of the spiritual group Falun Gong, whose protest was aimed at the Chinese government's crackdown on their movement. Gathered at a designated protest area two blocks from the Waldorf, they exercised to taped music, chatted with police and handed out leaflets.

[...]

http://www.wn.com/?action=display&article=11759571&template=worldnews/search .txt&index=full

BBC: Protest on Fifth Avenue

February 3, 2002, 01:22 GMT

By Kevin Anderson and Ben Wright in New York

The World Economic Forum has drawn the ire of thousands of protesters representing a wide range of issues including workers rights, the environment and the US war on terrorism.

The streets outside of the WEF had been relatively quiet, the only large protests being members of the Falun Gong movement holding silent vigils to call for an end to persecution by the Chinese Government.

[...]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1798000/1798204.stm