Mayor Larry Agran of Irvine: "I am Joined by Thousands of Americans Who Respectfully Request the Immediate Release of Dr. Charles Li"

(Clearwisdom.net)

On Dec. 9, at the City Council meeting in Irvine, California, Mayor Larry Agran announced that he had written a personal letter to US Ambassador to China, Ambassador Randt, and he read it to the council and audience. The letter declares that China's unconstitutional persecution of Falun Gong and Human Rights abuses must immediately come to an end. He wrote: "I urge you to transmit this letter to the appropriate Chinese officials and to otherwise bring about an immediate end to China's human rights violations. In this connection, I am joined by thousands of Americans who respectfully request the immediate release of Dr. Charles Li, an American citizen, and any other prisoners of conscience."

Before the Mayor's announcement, Yeong-Ching Foo (Charles Li's fiancée) and local practitioners of Falun Gong, as one group, addressed the City Council members. First, one practitioner spoke about the practice of Falun Gong, i.e. benefits to health and energy, beauty and tranquility of the practice and local practice sites. Second, another practitioner spoke about the new resolution (H Con Res 304) and submitted a package of information to the council and mayor - including flyers, VCDs, copy of the new resolution, etc. Third, Miss Yeong-Ching Foo told the council about Charles and the situation that he and other practitioners are facing right now in China. Finally, a local practitioner spoke in Chinese about her experience of practicing Falun Gong in China and the persecution that she endured while living in China. Another practitioner translated her speech.

The mayor's letter has been submitted to US Ambassador to China Clark Randt, US President Bush, Secretary of State Powell, Senators Feinstein and Boxer and Assistant Secretary of State Kelly.

Below is the letter from Mayor Larry Agran.

December 9, 2003

Ambassador Clark Randt
Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600
Beijing
The People's Republic of China

Dear Ambassador Randt:

I have received numerous reports that thousands of Falun Gong practitioners in the People's Republic of China have been illegally arrested and sent to labor camps and mental hospitals without trial. This is a violation of China's own Constitution as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Also, there are many credible reports of torture and other cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment of detained Falun Gong practitioners. Even American citizens have been arrested. This pattern of persecution constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental human rights to freedom of conscience, expression, and assembly.

The U.S. government has been unequivocal in its opposition to China's action against Falun Gong. In November of 1999 the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Resolution 218, with the U.S. Senate concurring, which condemned Beijing's actions and called for the immediate release of all jailed practitioners. A new, even stronger resolution, HR 188, was introduced in July of 2002.

President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell have spoken out and issued statements. Governments around the world have responded with similar force. Human rights groups and other organizations such as Amnesty International, Physicians for Human Rights, and the National Organization for Women, have been outspoken in their support of Falun Gong's right to freedom of expression.

I urge you to transmit this letter to the appropriate Chinese officials and to otherwise bring about an immediate end to China's human rights violations. In this connection, I am joined by thousands of Americans who respectfully request the immediate release of Dr. Charles Li, an American citizen, and any other prisoners of conscience.

Sincerely,

Larry Agran
Mayor

Cc: President George Bush
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Barbara Boxer
Secretary of State Colin Powell
Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly