Resident Canadian reporter Zhang Lingzhu reporting from Vancouver
(Clearwisdom.net)
From "Search the world," page 13, June 5th edition of the LibertyTimes:
Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate in front of the Chinese consulate in Vancouver. (Photo taken by Zhang Lingzhu)
There are not that many Falun Gong practitioners in Vancouver, but in the past two years, the hundred or so practitioners have been taking turns sitting in front of the Chinese consulate to demonstrate around the clock. [...]
On June 1, more than thirty Vancouver practitioners began a one-day hunger strike and Falun Gong exercises to appeal for the release of Dr. Li, a U.S citizen imprisoned in China. According to Jason, the organizer of the appeal, Li was charged with "preparing" to insert Falun Gong messages in cable TV broadcast in China. The U.S. government is said to be trying to get him released. The hunger strike in front of the Chinese consulate yesterday was to raise world awareness and to exert pressure on the Chinese government.
They Sit in Quiet Meditation and also Mind the Posters
It has been over two years since Falun Gong practitioners began their demonstrations on the sidewalk in front of the Chinese consulate in 2001. In these two years, over a hundred practitioners took turns sitting in meditation. More than eighty percent of them came from Mainland China, the rest are from Taiwan or westerners. According to Jason, more people participated in yesterday's hunger strike compared with only one or two practitioners sitting in ordinarily. They were here to show their indignation over China's persecution of Falun Gong, and also to safeguard the posters, lest they be removed by people from the consulate.
Jason said that he was aware that the consulate had requested the police to take action repeatedly. But since people in Canada have the right to assemble and demonstrate, no action has been taken by the police.
[...]
30-year-old Ms. Liu from Taiwan is one of the practitioners who has been taking turns in the demonstration. She said that the reason she does it is purely from her appreciation of the principles of Truthfulness, Benevolence, Forbearance. She cannot bear to see so many practitioners persecuted in China.
No Plans to Leave; Plans for Long Term Stay
Falun Gong practitioners have no plans to vacate from in front of the Chinese consulate. Last week they replaced the demonstration posters with new ones. It looks like they are not leaving, but planning to stay long term.
