(Clearwisdom.net)

Along with 35 other practitioners, I also went to Tianamen Square to Send Forth Righteous Thoughts. This was the purpose of my trip. Although I knew that this would shock the old evil forces beyond words, it would validate Fa further in both the human world and in countless other dimensions.

Before I had heard about the event, I had a dream about Fa study. In the dream I was told, "you know that you should study the Fa more" (not exact quote). I had already decided to participate in part of a European SOS walk, so I assumed that the dream was to prepare me for this. I felt later that it was a message from Master to encourage me do strive forward even more.

Many other practitioners shared experiences through E-mails and I felt myself merging into Fa more and more. The feeling is indescribable. We improved together and I also felt I was being pushed higher, rather than raising myself up. I knew I was doing the correct thing for Fa, and every-time I had a notion about the outcome, I tried my best to us righteous thoughts to eradicate it. The Fa finally became everything to me. Again, I can't describe this properly.

I had decided to apply for a visa through the regular channels since I could remain vague with the dates of travel (this was suggested by other practitioners). I applied nervously, and also collected the visa nervously. Especially since I had gone to the Chinese Embassy a few weeks before to talk to the staff about Falun Gong. On that occasion, they refused to talk with me, but I still looked two of them in the eye while requesting to speak with a member of staff from the Embassy.

There was no major problem with the visa. I wasn't surprised because I knew that I was meant to go to Tiananmen Square. But the nervousness showed me that I still had needed some improvement.

Flights, accommodations, and media, etc. were done rather hurriedly with short notice before the trip. However, everything fitted neatly together very quickly. Everything went smoothly, even when I checked through the arrivals gate in Beijing airport. I went to visit many tourist spots. But everything was lining up for the Tuesday at 2pm (Beijing time).

I left early on Tuesday morning, after reading the Fa for about 4 hours. I went to the Embassy area to roughly find the Irish embassy. I also took many precautions in case I was followed. At 1.45pm, I walked from Tiananmen West station towards Tiananmen East station. I met three fellow practitioners, two of whom were posing as a newly married couple. Within minutes, all the practitioners who were participating joined together and there were pictures taken of everyone standing (in the form of a wedding photo).

At this time, I felt nervous. However, I didn't think I would be arrested. I innocently thought that I would just walk away with the others to our embassies. When I heard the screech of brakes from the police vans, I was shocked. Then I heard others being dragged away by police. I continued to send forth righteous thoughts -- although my mind was disturbed.

It came to my 'turn' to be taken away, an "officer" tried to pull me but I didn't move that much. Then two police officers tried to lift me up and onto the police van. They stomped on my left leg (still in the lotus position) and it slipped down. I didn't struggle, instead I left my arms go limp and I just slid through their grasp. I continued to resist.

I had opened my eyes slightly and seen a female practitioner lying unconscious outside the police van. However, I continued to resist. I tried to freeze the police officers by shouting "Ding", however at this point my mind was severely disturbed. I did not succeed. Eventually, my right leg fell down and I walked onto the police van. I noticed the female practitioner (who was unconscious) had been lifted onto the van. Later, at the police station, I saw this lady being carried, still unconscious, into the station.

While in the van, one of the practitioners was filming everything with a digital recorder. I sat two seats from the back and the situation didn't bother me that much. Being arrested on Tiananmen Square was not the purpose of our journey, but we had succeeded in showing so many people that practicing Falun Gong was legal in other countries. So it was a success.

One practitioner confidently said "Shall we leave?" I agreed, saying that they had no right to detain us. The practitioner sitting next to me left the van through the window, I followed along with the digital tape on which the footage had been filmed. Just about everyone on Tiananmen Square had come to gather around the police vans. Every one of them witnessed the contrast between our peacefulness and the police brutality. I walked away but was detained for being a westerner with a camera on Tiananmen Square!

I was detained with four other westerners and three members of the media. The police station was dark and gloomy and I witnessed the police forcibly taking the others through the corridor. After two hours, I was released without any charges.

After returning home, I heard that others had been punched, kicked and even beaten because of their participation in this peaceful appeal. I have a deep respect for the practitioners who participated, and who had the courage to face their oppressors with dignity.

My heart is eternally grateful for having the chance to show Chinese people that "Falun Gong is good."

He Shi.

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[A text message from Brian at 11:40 (Dublin, London Time) on November 20th: My mobile works in Beijing! Got your textmessage. Interesting day today, got detained for having a camera on tiananmen square! My phone is on."]