New York Practitioners Hold Press Conference in Front of Chinese Consulate, Urgently Calling for Charles Li's Release (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On February 13, 2002, Falun Gong practitioners from the New York area gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate in the early morning and held a peaceful protest for the release of US citizen Charles Li, a Falun Gong practitioner who was arrested for no reason when he went back to China to visit his family during the Chinese New Year.

In front of Chinese consulate, a representative from the NY Falun Dafa Association read a statement that strongly condemned the more than three-year persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by Jiang's regime. The statement pointed out that Jiang has been sued in the United States for the crime of genocide, and the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners has been founded. Those people who are doing bad deeds should stop at once and seriously consider their futures.

The press conference was held at noon in front of the office building of New York Senator and former first lady Hillary Clinton. Damon Noto gave a speech on behalf of the New York Falun Dafa Association. He pointed out that Charles Li's arrest has already raised widespread attention in American society. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo has sent out a Dear Colleague letter in Congress, urging more of her colleagues to join the call for Charles Li's release. Several congresspersons from NY have already joined the campaign. Rep. Diane Feinstein wrote a letter to the chief of the Chinese National Security Bureau, demanding him to release all the information about Mr. Li's arrest to the people of China and the United States. Senator Hillary Clinton's staff members also expressed their concern and asked to be kept informed on the progress of the rescue efforts.

During the press conference, the spokesperson of the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners strongly condemned the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and urged the Chinese government to release all detained Falun Gong practitioners immediately.

Several media agencies had on-site interviews. Many passersby came over to ask questions and signed on the petition to secure Charles Li's release.