Sunderland Echo newspaper: Exhibition highlights plight of Chinese Torture victims

17, Nov. 2004

Fans of an ancient relaxation practice held a street exhibition in Sunderland, to show the persecution they suffer in China.

The art show, held in High Street West, Sunderland, showed some of the torture Falun Gong practitioners are subjected to.

In China, the technique - a set of exercises similar to Tai Chi -- is strictly banned despite the huge numbers of people who practice it.

There are only about 100 Falun Gong experts in the UK, but it has found a popular base in Sunderland.

Diana Whipple, a 71-year-old former teacher from Ashbrooke, is a new convert to Falun Gong.

"I have been dedicated to it since I took it up in 1999," she said, "It has improved my health and inner nature.

"But in this country -- where we are allowed to freely practice it -- we must be obliged, in every way possible, to draw attention to the torture happening in China." She said.

There was also a petition at the exhibition, which will be sent to the UN human Rights Commission and the European Parliament in protest of the torture.