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Today’s Articles — April 24, 2001

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The Truth Behind the April 25 Incident (Abridged version)

The Falun Gong incident of April 25, 1999 was not a sudden, accidental event. Nor was it the kind of political demonstration involving the besieging of a government compound as claimed by Jiang Zemin. From the written attacks begun during the July 1996 Guangming Daily incident in July, 1996 to the mobilization of police and using violence in Tianjin in April, 1999, the development and escalation of the persecution happened over a period of three or four years.

Photo Review: On April 25, 1999, over 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners legally appealing on Fuyou street

Dafa Practitioners in Geneva: China Stop Persecuting Falun Gong

On the evening of April 17, around 500 practitioners from all over the world gathered in front of the Red Cross building (which is also opposite the UN entrance) and held a candlelight vigil commemorating those who have died under China' persecution. Practitioners wore white or dark coloured clothes and held candles. There were 193 wreaths (signifying the 193 practitioners who have been killed by Chinese police) which either had the photos of or, if no photo was available, a fact sheet of the Dafa practitioners. There were also banners imprinted with "Stop killing, protect humanity," "Respect Human Rights," "Falun Dafa," and "Truth Compassion Forbearance." The peaceful scene attracted many passers-by and drivers and especially moved the UN officials who drove past. A Human Rights Issue official came before leaving Geneva and told practitioners that she had read about several cases of persecution towards Falun Dafa practitioners and how cruel the Chinese authorities were. She said that if the UN does not make sanctions against China, matters will become even more dreadful. A journalist from Saudi Arabia told practitioners that he truly admired Dafa practitioners' unity and spirit. Of course, under these circumstances, there were also people from the Chinese government. After practitioners found out who they were, they kindly told them of many cases where Jiang Zemin tried to cover up his crimes. These facts persuaded them and they also believed that the persecution against Falun Gong is incorrect. In the end, they left with a very friendly attitude. The Dafa music "Pu Du" and "Ji Shi" gently flowed through the air, accompanying practitioners' somber mood. This benevolent tune moved people' hearts. Oversea practitioners Geneva, April 18