(Clearwisdom.net) In the evening of February 13, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners from the San Francisco Bay Area gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco to show support for fellow practitioners in China, call for an end of the persecution and request the Chinese government to bring Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing and Zhou Yongkang to justice.
Banners in the photos: Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice, Bring Luo Gan to Justice, Bring Zhou Yongkang to Justice, Bring Liu Jing to Justice.
It was reported that a large-scale round of arrests of practitioners was carried out in China. The total number of documented cases of practitioners tortured to death rose quickly to 884.
After the persecution started in 1999, Jiang's regime manipulated the media in China and spread propaganda to slander and defame against Falun Gong. To counteract these efforts, the practitioners broadcasted truth-clarification programs in cable TV systems many times to have more people know the facts about Falun Gong. During the past Chinese New Year, Falun Gong practitioners successfully broadcast programs in the local cable TV system. In retaliation, police and government officials arrested several practitioners.
Mr. Bian said, "We are overseas, but we are with the practitioners in China in spirit. They risk their lives to have more people know the facts of Falun Gong and expose Jiang's lies. Recently, Jiang's followers in China have conducted a large-scale arrest of Falun Gong practitioners. We should voice support for our fellow practitioners. That's why we are here in front of the consulate."
Starting in 1992, Falun Gong spread by word of mouth to 100 million practitioners. Jiang Zemin initiated the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in 1999 out of personal jealousy and threatened "to eliminate Falun Gong within three months". Following Jiang's order, Li Lanqing, member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Politburo, Luo Gan, Secretary of Political and Judiciary Committee and Liu Jing, deputy minister of Ministry of Public Security established a "Leadership Group to Handle Falun Gong Issues" on June 10, 1999, also know as the "610 Office". Later 610 offices were set up in each province and city to plan and execute the persecution of Falun Gong. The 610 Office has been dubbed "China's Gestapo" in carrying out its often brutal arrests and torture.
Since July 20, 1999, practitioners have been tortured to death in over 30 provinces and direct municipalities. Among those practitioners tortured to death, 48% are women, 26.5% of ages 50-70 and one eight-month old baby. In recent months, the number of death cases quickly reached 884.
Mr. Zong from Taiwan said, "We came to the consulate to request the Chinese Government to stop the persecution and tell those following Jiang in the persecution to stop doing wrong deeds. Those participating in the persecution will be brought to justice, including those consulate staff members assisting Jiang's regime to spread hate propaganda overseas against Falun Gong. Since Luo Gan, Liu Jing and Zhou Yongkang are still actively helping Jiang to persecute Falun Gong, from now on, we will ask to bring Luo Gan, Liu Jing and Zhou Yongkang to justice in addition to Jiang Zemin."
Category: Rallies & Protests
