Atlanta Falun Gong Practitioners Hold Press Conference in Front of State Capitol and Condemn Jiang Regime's Atrocities (Photos)

April 12, 2002

(Clearwisdom.net) On April 9, 2002, dozens of Falun Gong practitioners from Atlanta and three practitioners from North Carolina gathered in front of the State Capitol and held an urgent press conference calling all circles to condemn the Jiang regime's escalating brutal persecution and state-sponsored terrorism against Falun Gong practitioners.

Mr. Derrick Kayongo, Director of Amnesty International South District delivers a speech	Mr.Thai Ton, a practitioner delivers a speech	Mrs. Tina Bakatsias, a practitioner

Practicing in the rain	Government officials learn of the persecution

At 11:00 a.m., the practitioners gathered in front of the State Capitol during a rainstorm; however, the rain could not prevent the practitioners from calling on the Jiang regime to stop the persecution and condemning its brutal atrocities. Some practitioners held banners reading, "Falun Dafa," "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance," "Stop the brutal persecution," and "In Changchun, 5000 are arrested", and poster boards while standing in the rain. Some practitioners demonstrated the exercises following the exercise music.

At 12:00 p.m., practitioner Robert Callerway represented other practitioners and delivered a speech protesting the new round of brutal persecution following Jiang's recent order "kill without pardon." He also expressed appreciation to the state government for permitting the practitioners to have the press conference there and other support. He also read letters from two Georgia Congressmembers, Mr. John Lewis and Ms. Cynthia Mckinney, which were written especially for this press conference. Congressman Lewis said that he would continue his efforts along with Falun Gong practitioners to end the persecution. Mr. Lewis called on all circles to take actions to end the killing in Changchun.

Mr. Derrick Kayongo, Director of Amnesty International South District delivered a speech condemning the Jiang regime's violence against innocent people and called on the American government and people to stand up to stop the human rights violations. He said that he would continue his efforts for Falun Gong practitioners' rights.

WSB (Channel 2), WGNX (channel 46) TV stations, and The Epoch Times covered the event and interviewed the three North Carolina practitioners, Mr. Drew ParkerCMrs. Tina Bakatsias, and Mr. Thai Ton, who participated in a peaceful appeal at Tiananmen Square.