Iceland, Warm and Sunny My lasting memories of Iceland will always be of warmth and sunshine -- both from the weather and from the people. Anyone who was there in Reykjav k in mid-June 2002 for the record-high temperature (25 degrees Celsius) and the outpouring of support for Falun Gong practitioners, feels the same.

The unelected leader of China, who shall remain nameless, was visiting several countries in Northern Europe, including Iceland for three days. About 250 Falun Gong practitioners from all over the globe made the voyage to Iceland to "welcome" the visitor with signs, banners and public meditation. Larger contingents have done the same without incident, before and since, when that visitor has travelled elsewhere.

Police in Gothenburg, Geneva, London, Washington, New York and Houston will tell you that Falun Gong practitioners are the most mellow, peaceful, cooperative bunch they have ever worked with on the streets. They even comment on the calming energy flowing out as we sit in meditation or stand to do those slow exercises.

Iceland, with its long traditions of democracy and human rights, would provide another occasion to harmoniously let the people know about that visitor: his personal responsibility in imprisoning, torturing and killing Falun Gong practitioners, and to express in person to him that he should stop. Little did we know that we would become the week's biggest national news story! The Icelandic government announced a ban on Falun Gong practitioners entering the country, and promptly detained about 70 arrivals in a schoolhouse near the [Keflav k] airport on 10 June.

There was a groundswell of righteous indignation from the people of Iceland. They were incredulous that their government would summarily cut off rights of free expression and entry to Iceland for anyone, let alone a group promoting health and goodness, which had proven itself to be non-violent. The government's action was unprecedented, as was the people's, who gathered in a rally and march to the Chinese consulate, 3,000 strong (that's over one per cent of the national population). Icelanders marched with black gags, symbolizing the government's actions. They held signs declaring, "Evil will be rewarded with evil." (in Icelandic), and they carried hundreds of golden banners with the core teaching of Falun Gong: "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance". Icelanders learned the exercises; they gave us smiles and handshakes and copious words of support.

Some Falun Gong practitioners with Icelandair tickets were stranded at distant airports for as long as three days. Eventually the government quietly let most in, but not until after rousing Icelanders and denting the international image of Iceland as a bellwether of democracy. The government has yet to make amends, or acknowledge the goodness of Falun Gong, but they may come around yet. We hope, for the sake of Iceland, temporarily fooled by the deceit of that visitor's agents, that the national leaders do come around. When it comes to the typical Icelander, though, Iceland is truly a special place with warmth and good hearts, no matter the season!

John Nania

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

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