(Clearwisdom.net) At noontime of July 8, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners in the Washington, DC area went to the Australian Embassy to the U.S. to discuss the recent South African shooting incident to Embassy officials.
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|   Banner, "Please Help David Liang, Protect Australian Falun Gong Practitioners." |
|   "Stop China from Exporting State Terrorism!" |
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|   In front of Australian Embassy, a Falun Gong practitioner read the practitioners' letter to the Ambassador |
|   Practitioners with an on-duty police officer |
|   Practitioners with Australian Embassy official John Stokes |
During the South African shooting incident, Australian citizen and Falun Gong practitioner David Liang was shot three times. He now has been escorted back to Australia for medical treatment. DC practitioners expressed their concern of David Liang's situation: David Liang's mother has been paralyzed for a long time, and his father has severe heart problems. David is a taxi driver, and he is the only income source of the family.
Australian Ambassador Michael Thawley assigned John Stokes to meet with representatives of DC practitioners. Mr. Stokes attentively listened to practitioners' narration of the background of the South African shooting incident and the Jiang regime's exportation of state-run terrorism to nations around the world. When practitioners mentioned that Falun Gong practitioners in Australia had been harassed and even attacked by Chinese embassy and consulate officials, Stokes immediately asked for related materials. He stressed that Australia is democratic nation that respects human rights and is against any violence.
Recently, the International Relations Committee of the U.S. Congress initiated a resolution regarding Chinese embassy and consulate officials harassing Falun Gong practitioners and illegally interfering with Falun Gong activities. The South African shooting incident has raised great international concern. A number of Australian MPs, many British, American and Canadian human rights organizations have expressed their concern over this incident. A week ago, more than 20 organizations rallied in front of the White House to condemn the Jiang regime's exportation of state-run terrorism.
In the letter to the Australian Ambassador, the Falun Gong practitioners urged the Australian government to protect Falun Gong practitioners' basic rights, to work with the South African government to investigate this incident, and to join other nations to condemn the Jiang regime's state-run terrorism.
After the meeting, practitioners and Mr. Stokes took a photo together.
Category: Rallies & Protests
