Dear Falun Gong followers and other spectators,

Around the world wars are taking place. And dreadful is the reality in which people live. They are maimed, killed, tortured and put in prison. They are hungry and live in constant fear.

We know that whole generations of children grow up and are injured for life in refugee camps which are blown-up by bombs. Political persecution and crimes against human rights take place all over the world. Every day.

But what is happening in China is really unique!

There are more and more reports about how innocent people are tortured and killed. The only reason they are subjected to this terror is because these people are Falun Gong practitioners. They are not a sect, not a religion and not a political movement. Falun Gong practitioners strive to be better individuals.

In the Falun Gong movement qualities such as truthfulness, kindness, benevolence, goodness and forbearance are emphasized.

During the process of trying to learn more about Falun Gong, I naturally think about popular national movements. Falun Gong is a popular movement without membership, holding to the belief that people can develop and become better, both physically and spiritually.

In Sweden, popular movements are deeply rooted in our national spirit. Most Swedes are members of some type of association. And you can't help but comparing the two, although it perhaps isn't really relevant, but still. We all live on the same planet, in the same century and year.

Today there is a debate about whether or not our democracy is withering away and perhaps there is some validity in this. But, not in out wildest dreams can we believe that those acts of cruelty taking place today in China - that those acts of cruelty could happen to us here.

In 1931, the military was sent in against peaceful demonstrators in dalen [Sweden] and five people were shot and killed. We will never forget the attack against these poor and starving workers, and, we bare this with us like a shameful stain which is still present, generation after generation.

What is important is that all injustices and crimes against humanity are not kept secret!

It is important that we--you and I--take a stance!

After the latest escalation of torture and killing, and not the least, the recurrent reports stating that since June 10th of this year it is permitted for police in China to kill Falun Gong practitioners and report it as suicide, it is then obvious to me that Beijing should not get the Olympics in 2008. Of course, politics and sports are connected with each other.

For me, it is also obvious that we in [the town of] Falun must also re-examine our relationship to China.

The biggest crime against all of these persecuted, tortured and killed people would be if the surrounding world remained silent!

And of course, it is true to say that this has significance and that we in "little" Sweden (and that we in Falun, far away from China) show our disdain for these acts of terror and instead [of remaining silent] rally for peace, democracy, solidarity and human rights!

I know that China's Ambassador, together with a large Chinese delegation, is here in Falun during the music festival. I appeal to the Ambassador to understand the message of this rally which Falun Gong followers are conducting and which I am sure has the support of the entire Swedish people.

Lastly, dear Falun Gong followers, I want to say that I personally feel proud that in this way I have had the possibility to be part of your important work!

I wish you all the success in your struggle for human rights for the people of China.

Inga Lill Persson Social Democratic Opposition Council on the Falun City Council