UK: Rally and March Against Article 23 in London (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net)

On February 8, 2003, the Global Coalition Against Article 23, European Branch held a rally in London protesting Beijing's coercing the Hong Kong government to enact Article 23 legislation.

Many organizations join the protest, Embassy refuses to accept petition

The Global Coalition Against Article 23 rally started with a press conference in front of the Chinese Embassy in London at 12 am. Lord Thurlow spoke first at the press conference. In his speech he fully exposed the Jiang regime's violation of human rights of the Hong Kong people and Falun Gong practitioners. Lord Thurlow was an esteemed diplomat and a former member of the Upper House. Representatives of several organizations also spoke at the press conference.

At the end of the press conference, two members of the Global Coalition Against Article 23 tried to deliver an open letter to the Chinese Embassy. In the letter, the petitioners pointed out, "Jiang's regime is not only violating the 'One Country Two Systems' promise the Chinese government made in Sino-British Joint Declaration, but is also undermining Hong Kong's political and democratic freedoms." "It also is conducting State Terrorism in China, brutally persecuting its citizens, and suppressing people with different views."

In the letter, the petitioners also pointed out "History has verified over and over again that time is the test of the truth. In history the dynasties change, the heroes come and go; however those praised by later generations are the wise kings and officials and people with high moral values. Those crafty villains who bring disasters on the nation are forever scorned by the people.

Regarding the letter, the Chinese embassy behaved as always and kept its door shut.

The march lasted 2 hours, the passers-by responded warmly

After the press conference, the march started at 1pm and lasted 2 hours. The march started from the Chinese embassy, passed Chinatown and finished at Downing Street 10. During the march, the pedestrians responded warmly.

After hearing the truth about article 23, one western couple said with feeling: It looks like China's human rights situation has not shown the slightest improvement.

The Chinese people's responses were also very good. In order to let the passers-by know the goal of the march more clearly, a gentleman shouted in Chinese and English as he marched on: "Article 23 deprives freedom! Stop implementing 23! Protesting the persecution of innocent people! Calling for equal human rights! Calling for equality and freedom." Many people, including Chinese, patted his shoulders to show their respect and gratitude. Many Chinese who drove by gave a thumbs up. Many Chinese tourists were shocked to see the banner "Jiang Zemin the executioner is sued in court." They picked up their cameras and shot many photographs. One Chinese couple visiting the UK said to a demonstrator that after they read some local Chinese newspapers in UK, they discovered that the domestic news in China was all filtered, and they discovered the real situation.

Many media outlets covered the entire march.