Sydneysiders will participate in a candlelight commemoration 6pm today at Town
Hall as part of a series of activities to commemorate lives lost and to call
for an end to the eight-year persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China
that began on July 20, 1999 in China under the personal directive of then –
communist leader, Jiang Zemin.
Commemorative activities:
Friday 20 July Public rally and Wall of banners, Martin Place 12:30 – 1:30pm
60-piece marching ¨Celestial Band¨, Martin Place 12:00 – 2:00pm
Candlelight commemoration, George St, Town Hall 6pm – 9pm
Saturday 21 July Wall of banners, Haymarket 11am – 3pm
Since July 20, 1999 Jiang used the Chinese communist regime’s resources and
propaganda machine to try and eradicate the peaceful spiritual practice in three
months. Having failed in this, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) brought the
full weight of its power to the task – All CCP agencies from central government
ministries to village committees, were turned against Falun Gong.
Those who refused to yield to the political and social pressure lost their
livelihoods, were incarcerated, brainwashed, tortured and killed. Millions of
practitioners, from young children to pregnant women and the elderly, have been
detained and abused. Thousands have been tortured to death.
Additionally, there is accumulating evidence of the use of Falun Gong practitioners
as involuntary sources for organ transplantation in China. The “Report
into Allegations of Organ Harvesting of Falun Gong Practitioners in China”,
co-authored by attorney David Matas and Canadian former Asia-Pacific Secretary
of State and Crown Prosecutor David Kilgour, estimates that over 40 thousand
have had their vital organs extracted for profit. Full report can be viewed
at: www.organharvestinvestigation.net
Tragically, the persecution of Falun Gong continues, but it is failing on all
fronts. The practice continues to thrive underground in China and gain strength
overseas. Falun Gong practitioners appeal to members of the public, the media
and governments to help end this genocide.
Posting date: 20/July/2007
Original article date: 20/July/2007
Category: Media Release