02 sep 01

MEMBERS of Melbourne's Falun Gong group will stage a silent sit-in outside the Chinese Consulate today and tomorrow to draw attention to the persecution members are subjected to in China.

In a statement today the group said the world had largely ignored the two-year campaign by the Chinese government to suppress Falun Gong.

The group objects to being portrayed as a religion, saying they practise Falun Dafa which is a system of personal development promoting peace and harmony.

Members of Melbourne's group plan to stage a vigil outside the Chinese Consulate at the corner of Toorak and Irving roads from 7am (AEST) today until 10pm tomorrow.

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