Daily Illini (Student Newspaper of UIUC): Fiance' rallies to free alum (Photo)

Published: Tuesday, February 15, 2005

The fiance' of a University alumnus and American citizen imprisoned in China for more than two years was in Champaign on Monday as part of her effort to have him freed.

During a midday rally outside the Illini Union, Yeong-Ching Foo and other supporters, including some University faculty, gave speeches in support of freeing Foo's fiancee Charles Lee. Lee, [...], visited China in January 2003 to raise awareness about Falun Gong, [...]

Shortly after setting foot in the country, Lee was arrested by the Chinese government, which has cracked down on Falun Gong practitioners.

"He's very daring. It was a very courageous act," Foo said.

Since his arrest, Lee has been forced into labor camps making anything from shoes to Christmas lights while enduring relentless physical torture and forced brainwashing to make him renounce his strong belief in [Falun Gong].

"They have no right to torture an American," Foo said. "No human being should deserve this type of torture."

The brutality has contributed to a heart condition diagnosed by prison doctors and U.S. consular officials, according to a letter written to the Chinese consulate in Washington D.C. by U.S. Reps. Anna Eshoo and Tom Lantos. The two congressmen have written several letters requesting Lee's release.

Other American supporters of Lee created a Web site, www.rescuecharles.org, and a song entitled "Free Charles Lee."

Because of pressure from America, his beatings were not as severe, Foo said.

"He would have died without our support," she said.

Some at the University felt it was important for the University to play a role in freeing the jailed alumnus.

"Because of this connection, I feel that we're obligated to help him," said Dongdong Zhang, graduate student and a Falun Gong practitioner. "Because he worked and studied here, I think this connection will help him."

Zhang and fellow practitioner Hao Feng, an associate professor of food sciences, health and nutrition at the University, helped bring the cause back to the University. They have brought Foo to speak on campus before and are spreading the word about Lee's imprisonment.

"This kind of rescue effort is very important," Feng said. "It is very effective in terms of improving his condition in jail and getting him home."

Speaking out in support of Lee is also important because Foo said America must protect its citizens.

"If someone like him goes and tries to spread the truth, should we not go protect?" she said. "Are we sending the message that it's okay to persecute him?"

Mark Cnudde, of the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners, agreed and said it was wrong for America to have taken such little action to secure Lee's release.

"There is nothing wrong with what he attempted to do ... but it is wrong to remain silent after Dr. Lee has been illegally jailed and tortured in China for two full years," he said. "If we won't fight for the life of an American, who will?"

Though Foo said she was not blaming anyone for her fiance's situation, she still was not pleased that such little action has been taken.

"The fact is, this is pretty sad. He should be back in America," she said." America is pretty powerful. If it worked harder, we would be able to (bring him back.)"

Source: http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2005/02/15/News/Fiancee.Rallies.To.Free.Alum-864176.shtml