Staff Writer

February 19, 2001

PASADENA - As a prisoner in China, Alicia Zhao was forced to manufacture plastic hairbrushes for 14 hours a day and sleep on a concrete floor in 30 degree weather.

The U.S. citizen, who was on vacation in China, was arrested and thrown in jail for eating dinner at the home of a Falun Gong practitioner in Shen Zhen.

"That really shocked me because I'm an ordinary citizen," Zhao said. "That experience has forever changed my life."

She said her fate is shared by many who practice Falun Gong, a spiritual movement outlawed by the Chinese government in July 1999.

To protest their treatment, Zhao joined more than 1,000 at the Pasadena Civic Center on Sunday to speak out against what they say is the violation of human rights in China. The event was day two of the Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference, with peaceful demonstrations staged in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual movement [], founded by Master Li Hongzhi in 1992. The practice, with millions of followers worldwide, combines spiritual teachings with five meditative movements to balance the body and mind.

John Li, of Pasadena, said the healing practice of Falun Gong eased the constant pains from his ulcer surgery and allergies. Until he took up the practice, he said he was a regular at the Caltech health center, where he received 10 shots per week for his condition.

"All of a sudden my diseases disappeared," said Li, who helped organize the event. "I still cannot understand it."

The Chinese government banned Falun Gong in July 1999, contending the movement [Chinese governments slanderous words].

But Falun Gong leaders say the Chinese government fears the strength of the movement, prompting a crackdown that has led to the incarceration of more than 30,000 and the deaths of more than 100 for practicing Falun Gong. They claim a protest in Tiananmen Square last month, where one reported follower was killed and four others were seriously burned when they set themselves ablaze, was rigged to cast doubt on the movement.

For citizens in China, the truth is concealed by propaganda, said Lisa Li, of Los Angeles, who helped organize the conference. She said the Chinese government controls most of the media, resulting in skewed broadcasts and articles.

"The Chinese government is very malicious and very powerful - they brainwash the people," Li said. "My parents in China are very nervous. When they hear bad news, they call me. They don't know I'm free here."

To head off the movement, the Chinese government has extended its suppression of Falun Gong across the Pacific Ocean to Southern California.

Last year, the Chinese Consulate lobbied officials to cancel a Falun Gong conference at Caltech in Pasadena, and in December, took issue with the mayor of Alhambra backing "Falun Dafa Week" in the city. The Chinese Consulate also asked the Pasadena Civic Center to cancel the Sunday conference.

In recent months, a number of cities in Southern California - including Alhambra, Rosemead and the city of Industry - have passed resolutions supporting the movement.

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At the conference, more than 1,000 turned out to advocate the practice, many wearing bright yellow pullovers inscribed in red with the three pillars - truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance. Some followers practiced the slow movements while listening to speeches or standing in line.

Gina Sanchez, of Pasadena, said Falun Gong helped her recover from a car collision that left her with a concussion and recurring back pain. Her studies of Chinese medicine inspired her to visit China, but she did not feel safe making the journey.

"I had aspirations to go to China, but the reality of the abuse and torture hit me," Sanchez said. "It could easily have been me in their place."