FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 2/16/2002 [ http://www.clearharmony.net/ ]
DUBLIN, March 16th 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Centre) -- Falun Gong practitioner Gerald O'Connor has made the several thousand kilometres' journey to appeal to the Chinese government on behalf of Falun Gong practitioners inside China.
Mr. O'Connor's appeal comes as Jiang Zemin regime begins a new escalation on the crackdown against Falun Gong. An order of "shoot to kill" has been issued by Jiang himself after practitioners in the Changchun region broadcast Falun Gong truth clarifying programs on several of the major TV stations. The Changchun area has approximately 1 million citizens, and has been the largest truth clarifying activity by Falun Gong practitioners inside China to date. A spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Information Centre stated "The [Changchun] event has brought the truth of the persecution to thousands of people directly. Hopefully Gerald's appeal will further clarify the truth to the misled Chinese citizens"
We have been confirmed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs today, Gerald O'Connor demonstrated the Falun Gong posture and was arrested on Friday, 16th March. He was put on a plane to Paris today at 11:45 this morning Beijing Time.
Press Conference
To mark Mr. O'Connor's return, a press conference will be held;
Where Dublin Airport
When 19.45
Contacts Ms. Dai Dongxue
Mr. Colm Quinn
Righteous Words
In relation to his journey to China, Mr. O'Connor stated
"For nearly two years I have been practising Falun Dafa. Raising myself to the standard truth-compassion-forbearance through studying Master Li's books and meditation.
As I have practiced and gained so much (physical, mental and spiritual well being), I have watched in horror and disbelief what's happening to my fellow practitioners in China.
These people like me also found the principles of truth-compassion-forbearance admirable and decided to cultivate them in their hearts. Before and during the persecution they raised their morals to these values daily and benefited society in many ways.
After the persecution started and all means was used to defame Falun Dafa, these practitioners risked everything to tell their fellow Chinese people the truth and dispel the lies. So many people have suffered because of this persecution, it is wrong and should be stopped immediately.
I have decided to travel to China and help my fellow practitioners there. For nine days I will be in China and I will return on the 17th of March at 19:45 in Dublin airport, if you have any questions for me, please come and I will answer them then."
-- Gerald O'Connor."
Latest News: Mr. O'Connor called from Paris at 16:30 and told his family and friends the following:
He was arrested after he opened up a banner on Tiananmen Square on the evening of Friday, 15th March. Soon he then was arrested by the police and put in a van. The police beat him up severely in order to force him to say where his hotel was. He was held in a dirty and smelly room with blood on the wall. The police insulted him and Ireland. He was held over night in this cell, and deported back to the airport one day before his flight due.
Mr. O'Connor will arrive in Dublin airport at 19:45 this evening, family and friends will greet him, and a press conference will be held when he arrives.
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices in China, such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.
With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified it's propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.
The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of over 375 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600. Over 100,000 have been detained, with more than 20,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps without trial.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER- Contacts: Dai Dongxue, or Colm Quinn
Email: info-ie@falundafa.nu, Website: http://www.clearharmony.net or http://www.faluninfo.net/