Falun Gong outside China

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In a candlelight vigil remembering those who were allegedly tortured to death in China for practicing Falun Dafa, over 1,000 practitioners and supporters of Falun Dafa sit in formation of the Chinese characters for "Truthfulness, Benevolence, Forbearance" next to the Washington Monument in Washington, DC

The activities outside the People's Republic of China (PRC) of the Falun Gong has increased dramatically since the movement was banned by the PRC government in 1999. They are often seen in protest action in many major cities around the world, and have a significant media presence through the electronic and print media.

Chinese consulates and embassies around the world have sought to counter the activities of the Falun Gong through a variety of means, ranging from counter-propaganda to active interference in Falun Gong activities. The response of the local community has been mixed, with some local Chinese communities attempting to limit Falun Gong activities.

[edit] Falun Gong action

[edit] Protests

Reenacting the torture methods, in New York City.

After the government of the People's Republic of China began its persecution of Falun Gong in mainland China in 1999, protests, rallys, and appeals have become some of the most visible forms in which Falun Gong practitioners manifest outside of mainland China. Protests are frequent, some daily, and happen around the world.

Falun Gong supporters in Vancouver, Canada continue to stage what they claim is the world's longest-running continuous protest against PRC's treatment of Falun Gong practitioners.^[1] However, in June 2006, it was announced by the mayor of Vancouver that the protest signs and structure must be taken down, as they violate a by-law against building permanent structures on public property, and have done so for five years already.^[2] The protesters refused to comply and the city was seeking for a court injunction.^[3] The Falun Gong protesters have opposed to the injunction and accused Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan of being "manipulated by the strings of China".^[4] The protest, which runs twenty-four hours a day, is located at the entrance to the PRC Consulate on Granville Street.

There are also similar protests being staged in front of the PRC Embassy in London, New York, and other cities worldwide. The Hong Kong Government allows nearly continuous demonstrations. Demonstrations usually take place in tourist areas.

Falun Gong practitioners are often seen on the streets in major metropolitan areas, directly informing the public of the treatment their fellow practitioners in China. In many Western cities (particularly Manhattan, New York City) several elaborate streetside demonstrations have been staged that portray scenes of alleged government brutality. Amidst these public displays are signs with simple slogans, such as "Falun Dafa is Good" and "Bring Jiang to Justice."

The publication, Epoch Times, distributed for free in metropolitan areas in the US, Canada, and Australia often carries articles pertaining to the persecution in mainland China. Its Chinese version is anti-Chinese government in stance,^[5] and carries regular features calling for members to quit the Communist Party of China.^[6] Sound of Hope, a radio station broadcasting to mainland China as well as Western countries, and a TV station named New Tang Dynasty are operated mostly by Falun Gong practitioners.

[edit] April 2006 Hu Visit Protests

During the April 20, 2006, welcoming ceremonies outside the White House for Chinese president Hu Jintao, which opened his official visit to the capitol, a Falun Gong supporter repeatedly interrupted the event by shouting in the English and Chinese languages. Because she was stationed atop a grandstand and blocked on all sides by camera equipment and ladders, it took at least two minutes for Secret Service agents to drag her away. They later identified the woman as Wang Wenyi, a reporter for The Epoch Times.^[7]

"President Bush, stop him from persecuting the Falun Gong!" she shouted at one point, followed by "Hu, your days are numbered", in Chinese. She was also heard yelling "Stop the torture and killings!" and "Falun Dafa is good". During her protests, she unfurled and waved a yellow and red Falun Gong banner.^{[citation needed]}

On April 21, Wang was charged with a federal misdemeanor of harassing a foreign official, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of $5,000. She was released without bail pending further proceedings.^[8]

Also during Hu's visit in Washington, D.C., hundreds of banner-waving protesters demonstrated against Hu's visit outside the White House gates. The clamor was heard faintly during an elaborate lunch Bush gave in Hu's honor.^{[citation needed]}

On April 21, Hu was also followed by hundreds of protesters during his Yale University visit on April 21, 2006. Around 2,400 signatures from Yale faculty and students condemning organ-harvesting were collected by the Yale Falun Gong club and delivered to university officials.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Parades

Manhattan Parade: "In the Name of Justice"

Another form in which Falun Gong has gained attention outside of China is through parades. Falun Gong parades usually incorporate traditional-style Chinese dances, vibrant costumes, song, exercise demonstrations, traditional-style Chinese drumming, floats, and banners. Practitioners sometimes call this "bringing people the beauty of Dafa".^[9] Another style of Falun Gong parade is done as a form spreading awareness about and protesting the Chinese Government's persecution. This type of parade may sometimes be called a march. In this style of parade, participants often hold signs and banners, with different sections of the parade devoted to different aspects of the persecution. There is usually a section involving participants wearing only white (symbolizing mourning) and holding pictures of practitioners who have been killed during the persecution. Floats are also incorporated, but carry much darker themes; including live representations of torture and organ-harvestings. Falun Gong parades often involve a combination of both styles. One parade of this type that took place in New York City in April 2004 was called “The Journey of Fa-Rectification - Grand Parade portraying the History of Falun Gong and a Bright Future.”^[10] While the latter style is usually only done independently, Falun Gong practitioners have participated in numerous holiday and festival parades worldwide using the "beauty" style, and have won numerous awards.^[11]

Parades range in participation. Some parades may consist of only a few dozen practitioners, such as a 2003 parade in Banff, Canada,^[12] while others have consisted of as many as fifteen thousand according to Falun Gong figures, such as a 2006 parade in Taipei, Taiwan.^[13]

[edit] Distribution of printed media

An example of a newspaper distributed freely. This part of the newspaper highlights the alleged persecution of Falun Gong

Printed media such as leaflets and newsletters, highlighting the alleged persecution of Falun Gong and their principles and practices, are also distributed such as in the image shown to the right.

[edit] Saskatoon and Falun Gong

Saskatoon, a city located in central Saskatchewan, Canada, declared the week of April 23-29 Falun Gong Week in 2001.^{[citation needed]} This created conflict between the PRC government and the city council of Saskatoon, resulting in the PRC consulate for Western Canada chastising Saskatoon for its declaration, calling Falun Gong a “heretic cult.” However, City council went ahead with the proclamation after then-mayor Jim Maddin spoke to a senior consular official in Calgary and said the city would not change its position just because the PRC government disagreed.^{[citation needed]}

Five years after the issue on the declaration of Falun Gong week in 2001, Donald J. Atchison, the Mayor of Saskatoon remarked his hesitation to agree to a request to declare May Falun Gong Month at the city council meeting in May 8th 2006. “I just find this one a political statement,” said Atchinson. He explained to the council that the last time he issued a proclamation for Falun Gong it caused some inflammatory comments from the government of the PRC, and he did not want to issue a proclamation that might invite international controversy. He was also concerned that it might violate the city’s policy on proclamations. There is inside criticism over his hesitation for the proclamation. Tiffany Paulsen, who is the member of council, criticized Atchinson’s remark that the city council would be going down a “very slippery slope” if it started resisting proclamations based on subjective moral judgments.^{[citation needed]}

The request for declaring May Falun Gong Month was presented by Danny Zieglar, a Regina resident and Falun Gong practitioner. His request is on behalf of the group’s national organization. The group has asked for a similar proclamation in Regina, Canada.^{[citation needed]}

Falun Gong Week and Month have already been declared in other cities and provinces in Canada, and the U.S.A. such as Armstrong, British Columbia, Rock Island, Illinois, and South Miami, Florida.^{[citation needed]}

In 2003, the Falun Gong Association of Canada won an award for its float in Saskatoon’s Exhibition parade.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Local community response

Local communities in many countries have had mixed reactions to Falun Gong practitioners and Falun Gong activities. In some cases local Chinese communities are reported to have opposed Falun Gong activities, and in other cases local communities are reported to have praised and expressed gratitude to Falun Gong practitioners and their activities.

[edit] Australia

According to an AFP report, Chinese community leaders in Sydney banned Falun Gong practitioners from participating in a Chinese New Year parade in 2005. Upon being pressed by the media, Committee Chairman, King Fong, claimed that he feared allowing Falun Gong practitioners participate in the parade would "prompt a backlash from Beijing" and that he didn't want to damage the committee's relationship with China. A Falun Gong spokesperson disclaimed any political motive on Falun Gong's part, and claimed that the ban was directly related to influence of the Chinese Communist Party.^[14]

[edit] Bulgaria

An article submitted to Clearwisdom describes a public screening of the film Sandstorm, a film created by a Falun Gong practitioner to raise awareness of the alleged persecution of Falun Gong in mainland China. The screening took place in Bulgaria. The Chairman of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (a branch of the international human rights organization) was invited to the event by local Falun Gong practitioners, and made some remarks about his awareness of the human rights situation in mainland China before the start of the film. After the film, some people signed petitions and expressed their support for Falun Gong, as well as their opposition to the alleged persecution. The report ends by describing the behaviour of one audience member who was especially impressed with the activity: "Inspired by the film and having realized the compassion of Falun Gong, a man who came to the premiere with his wife played on his violin to show his gratitude to the practitioners and his joy at encountering Falun Dafa."^[15]

[edit] Canada

In 2005, the Ottawa Chinese Senior Association removed one of its members, Huang Daiming, from the association because she practised Falun Gong.

In January, 2006, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled that the Association had discriminated against her. The tribunal found a series of actions by the Association against the Falun Gong practitioner because of their objection to her beliefs, and exposed her to contempt and ostracisation in the community, and amounted to an affront to her dignity. It ordered compensation to the practitioner, and ordered, inter alia, that eligible Falun Gong practitioners be enrolled as members of the Association. [1]

[edit] Indonesia

Banner in Jakarta Chinatown taken 7 Desember 2006; Banner reads: "Chinatown Residents Oppose Falun Gong. Falun Gong is fake Compassion and Forbearance, true Evil and Malevolence." Bolded word corresponds to red lettering.

Indonesia Matters reported in August 2006^[16] that a group of ten Falun Gong practitioners attempting to hold a protest the Jakarta Chinatown (Glodok) community in Indonesia were threatened and assaulted by a large group of local people. The Glodok community had set up a banner, which still stands, that express a rejection of the activities of Falun Gong.

The practitioners claimed that they were protesting against what they claimed was systematic organ harvesting by the Chinese government. A Falun Gong representative claimed that those opposing them were paid by the Chinese embassy, and that the Chinese embassy had business interests and connections in the Glodok market. He also claimed that this was the fifth incident of this kind, and further accused the local police of recording but not acting on reports of these incidents.

The report cited another article that claimed that the protest was broken up because traders in the area resented Falun Gong political action disrupting business activities. It also suggested that locals were annoyed with Falun Gong practitioners distributing leaflets, saying that they distributed a leaflet that threatened the locals[2], thus causing their attack. This group reportedly hopes that the government will take action to prevent Falun Gong practitioners from "disturbing the life of the area."

The Falun Dafa Clearwisdom website has reported other incidents of this kind occurring in Jakarta. One report documents seven incidents occurring within a four month period. The report claims that Falun Gong practitioners' activities were "interfered with" through a variety of means including assault, arrests, groups physically barring practitioners from entering their location, destruction of their banners and materials, and interference through slander. The report asserts these incidents of interference to be directly related to the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of the group in China.^[17]

In March 2002, the Jakarta Post reported an incident in which Indonesian police placed a "last-minute ban" on a Falun Gong parade, which had previously been approved. Police admitted that a permit had been issued weeks before, but revoked it the day of the parade in response to pressure from the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta. 700 Falun Gong practitioners who had come to participate in the parade were ordered to disperse.^[18]

A 2006 U.S. Department of State report addressing religious freedom in Indonesia documents a number of incidents where Falun Gong practitioners were beaten, arrested, or their activities suppressed by the local community in Jakarta. The report says that police claimed to have arrested Falun Gong practitioners because they circulated materials concerning the Chinese Communist party, which is illegal in Indonesia.^[19]

[edit] New Zealand

In July 2002 New Zealand’s Auckland Airport removed a Falun Gong poster that was placed according to regulations at an international gate lounge. The poster featured a woman sitting in meditation and the words “The world needs truth, compassion and forbearance.” The country’s Green Party publicly accused the airport of giving in to pressure from China and adding to the persecution of Falun Gong.[3]

[edit] South Africa

In June 2004, a Falun Gong practitioner was shot in South Africa. Australian Falun Gong practitioner, David Liang, was injured in a drive-by shooting while in South Africa. The purpose of his visit was to protest, alongside other practitioners, outside South Africa-China Binational Commission (BNC) meetings and to launch a lawsuit alleging human rights abuses and torture against the Chinese Government while Chinese Vice-president, Zeng Qinghong, and Minister of Commerce, Bo Xila, two high-ranking Chinese officials said to be involved in the persecution of Falun Gong, were there to attend the meetings on an official visit. Despite the lack of any probative evidence, Falun Gong practitioners alleged that the "drive-by shooting" was an assassination attempt because the car followed them, the person targeted was the only one wearing recognizable Falun Gong clothing, and the gunmen, carrying AK-47's, sped off without any attempt to rob them after firing the shots. Chinese Embassy officials denied the allegation.^[20] According to Falun Gong spokesperson, Sue Zhang, "Johannesburg police have characterized this incident as attempted murder" and that it has been ruled out as random.^[21] However, due to economic positions which the Chinese held in South Africa, several other non-Falun Gong related Chinese has been wounded or killed by similar drive-by shootings by local criminals.[4][5]

[edit] United States of America

Chinese community leaders in several cities in California, especially San Francisco, banned the Falun Gong from the 2006 Chinese New Year parade. They claimed that the group's apparent political agenda was incompatible with the spirit of the celebrations.^[22]

In San Francisco, an attempt to nominate Li Hongzhi for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 by Bay Area legislators was withdrawn after they were notified of Falun Gong's stance towards homosexuals.[6]. In 2006, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a 9-2 resolution calling for China to end its supression of Falun Gong, despite criticism by the LGBT community.[7]

[edit] Response by Chinese diplomatic service

Falun Gong practitioenrs claim that they are frequently suppressed by the Chinese diplomatic service overseas. They claim that Chinese embassies and consulates are explicitly or, through unidentified individuals or organizations, implicitly, organising disruptions to protests.

They further attribute criminal acts such as beatings, break-ins to homes and theft of property to explicit or implicit involvement by the Chinese diplomatic service.

Furthermore, in cases where Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested by local authorities, excluded from local community or public events, subject to action by local law enforcement agencies, forced to resign from their jobs, or have received frequent phone harassment, they have often claimed that the local government authorities, community groups or workplaces are acting under coercion or pressure from the Chinese diplomatic service. In some cases workplaces or local government authorities have admitted to acting under coercion or pressure from the Chinese diplomatic service.^{[citation needed]}

The following sections detail instances of such claims, including sources where these claims were reported.

December 2005, Buenos Aires, Argentina: Falun Dafa practitioner being beaten by unidentified Chinese men during Luo Gan's visit.

[edit] Argentina

In December of 2005, CCP official Luo Gan visited Argentina. Luo Gan, who is claimed by Falun Gong groups to be the head of the "610 Office" (which one report described as "a Gestapo-like secret organization charged with persecuting and 'eradicating' Falun Gong."^[23]) is, as of February 2007, currently being tried in absentia, with no known prospect of appearance in persona, for crimes of Genocide in the Federal Court of Argentina for his role in the alleged genocide against Falun Gong in mainland China. During his visit, Falun Gong practitioners were beaten by a group of about 40 unidentified Chinese men. "One of the Chinese thugs ran up to a practitioner who was giving an interview explaining why they were protesting and kicked her in the neck right in front of the TV camera."^[24] The actions of the group of Chinese men were described as “highly-organized” and “terribly violent” by victims and witnesses at the scene. One man was seen being beaten to the ground and then kicked repeatedly while down. Witnesses had their cameras and film wrestled from their hands. The group is reported also to have destroyed and stolen banners, as well as one Falun Gong practitioner's camera. Some Argentine citizens attempted to stop the attacks but were beaten as well. Police were reported to have stood by and watched the attacks without responding or attempting to restrain or arrest the attackers, with one policeman commenting unofficially that were under "orders" not to intervene. The police did not respond to the assailants even after the police themselves were attacked.

With regard to the incident, the director of Amnesty International in Argentina, Pablo Marsal, made the following statement on Dec. 16:

"Amnesty International has always supported Falun Dafa. It is also not the first time that this group was assaulted in our country. Amnesty International's annual reports, which are well known around the world, relate the human rights violations in China against different spiritual and social groups. The most striking fact in our country is that, for the second time, we see that a certain group connected to the officials of the Chinese government assaults with impunity, in Argentine territory, in front of the Congress of the nation, a peaceful group which is known all over the world as a spiritual group. For this reason, it is totally incomprehensible.

"The officials of another country are violating our Argentine sovereignty in our country. This is something which may not continue. Of course it is true about what is happening in China and, apparently, the persecution has begun to extend to a country like ours, Argentina, a country which is proud to defend human rights."[8]

[edit] Canada

Leon Wang, a Falun Gong practitioner in Ottawa, claims to have been beaten inside the Chinese embassy while he was there attending a New Year “open house night”. He says that he was taken to a room and beaten upon being caught taking pictures of an anti-Falun Gong exhibit and recognized as a Falun Gong practitioner. [9] [10]

[edit] References

Falun Gong protesters in front of General Post Office, Dublin.

1. ^ O'Connor, N. (August 05, 2004) "Falun Gong going for Guinness record". Vancouver Courier.com, retrieved June 18, 2006
2. ^ Howell, Mike (June 07, 2006) "Time to get tough on Falun Gong, says mayor". Vancouver Courier.com, retrieved June 18, 2006
3. ^ Howell, Mike (June 21, 2006) "Falun protesters refuse to answer mayor's gong". "Vancouver Courier.com", retrieved June 24, 2006
4. ^ Kwong, Matthew (August 17, 2006)"Falun Gong protesters oppose injunction". globeandmail.com, retrieved August 20, 2006
5. ^ e.g. Epoch Times - Being patriotic means being against the Chinese Communist Party (in Chinese)
6. ^ Epoch Times - Now offering certificates for quitting the Communist Party (in Chinese)
7. ^ "Bush apologizes to Hu for protester". (April 21, 2006) CNN.com, retrieved June 18, 2006
8. ^ "Protester charged with harassing Chinese leader". (April 21, 2006) CNN.com, retrieved June 18, 2006
9. ^ Canada: Bring Falun Dafa's Beauty to People. Falun Dafa Clearwisdom.net (2004-07-30). Retrieved on 2006-09-21.
10. ^ Photo Archive: Parades (selected photos). Falun Dafa Clearwisdom.net. Retrieved on 2006-09-21.
11. ^ Minghui Web Search: key words - parade, award; search dates - 10/28/2000-11/28/2006. Falun Dafa Clearwisdom.net. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
12. ^ Canada: Falun Gong Practitioners Present a Special Christmas Gift to Residents at a Ski Resort. Clearharmony.net (2003-11-29). Retrieved on 2006-09-21.
13. ^ Taiwan: Fifteen Thousand March to Condemn the CCP for Harvesting Organs from Living Practitioners. Falun Dafa Clearwisdom.net (2006-04-27). Retrieved on 2006-09-21.
14. ^ Channel News Asia - Falungong row overshadows Australia's Chinese new year preparations
15. ^ Bulgaria: Premiere of the Movie "Sandstorm" Supported by the Helsinki Committee (Photos). Falun Dafa Clearwisdom.net (2007-01-25). Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
16. ^ Indonesia Matters - Falun Gong in Jakarta
17. ^ Indonesia: Practitioners’ Exposure of CCP Atrocities Meets with Frequent Interference (Photos). Clearwisdom net. Retrieved on 2006-02-06.
18. ^ Police ban Falungong parade at last minute. Jakarta Post. Retrieved on 2006-02-06
19. ^ US Department of State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2006: Indonesia
20. ^ SAPA: Falun Gong dissident shot in Joburg
21. ^ Bunaby Now: Group wants help
22. ^ NPR: Falun Gong Banned from Calif. New Year's Parades
23. ^ A Strange Chinese Export
24. ^ [http://www.fofg.org/news/news_story.php?doc_id=1220 Falun Gong Practitioners Assaulted in Argentina after Lawsuit against Visiting Chinese Official]