A Practitioner in China

June 2000

I have practiced Falun Dafa for several years. In order to tell the world that Falun Dafa is righteous, I went to Tiananmen Square on April 25, 2000, the first anniversary of the peaceful appeal of 10,000 practitioners in Zhongnaihai. I felt very proud when I unfolded the banner of Falun Dafa. The banner fluttered in Tiananmen Square for over 20 minutes. Thus I happily fulfilled my wish.

Three days later, I was taken back to the detention center of my hometown. One day, the police ordered me and other inmates to get out, saying that we were to receive interrogations. When I walked out of the door, however, I was shocked by what I saw. The yard was full of prisoners. They were all tied up. Each prisoner had a white board hung on his neck, with his name and charges against him written on the board. I was treated the same way. At that moment, I thought: "I am not afraid. Whatever happens will help me to improve my Xinxing (moral character, heart quality)." It also reminded me of Jesus being nailed on the cross.

During the parade, I thought I should not behave like a criminal because I was innocent and Falun Dafa was innocent. When I looked at other prisoners, they all bowed their heads in guilt. But I held up my head proudly, smiling to people on the streets as well as the policeman who took pictures. I would like to tell them that Falun Gong is righteous and I was proud of myself.

Later I heard the police officers and prisoners talk about my attitude. A few policemen started to talk with me about Falun Gong. They all admired my self-righteousness. The prisoners in my cell had behaved badly, so some guards condemned them and said, "You should learn from that Falun Gong person."

When policemen escorted me to the detention center, I said: "I will not go to a detention center. I am innocent. I went to appeal for Falun Gong because the government made the wrong decision." The policemen said: "We only carry out orders." Later the policemen told me: "You can hire a lawyer." Later my family found a lawyer for me. During my meeting with my lawyer, he told me: "You can write a pledge saying that you will give up practicing Falun Gong. I can guarantee that you will not be sentenced." I said: "That is impossible." Our conversation lasted only 5-6 minutes. In the end, he asked me: "Do you need me to visit you again?" I said: "No." The policemen nearby were quite surprised by my attitude.

Later, my father came to visit me and told me that my mother's health worsened because of me. I felt a sharp pain in my heart upon hearing that. I thought, "I have already attained Falun Dafa. I should not feel regret for what I have done even if I will be sent to a labor camp." So I told my father: "I have done nothing wrong. Please go home and take my mother to a hospital for medical treatment." Although initially the police decided to sentence me to three years of forced labor, the decision was not approved by higher authorities. Finally, I was released after one month of detention.

I feel happy for fulfilling my wish of defending Falun Dafa.