(Clearwisdom.net) According a report from the Epoch Times on August 25, 2004, dozens of Falun Gong practitioners held anti-torture exhibitions on August 21 and 22 on 5th Avenue near Central Park in New York City. The exhibitions attracted many passersby to watch. How do Americans view this on-going persecution of Falun Gong in China?
Ms. Marcia Delman is from New York, and she had never heard about the persecution before this exhibition. She said: "Torture is disgusting. It is surprising that such torture can still happen in this modern age. The Chinese government [Jiang group] fears everything, however, it should not fear Falun Gong. It [The persecution of Falun Gong] is totally unreasonable... I just signed a petition (to for call an end of the persecution). I will tell others. We will get the word out, and the Chinese government [Jiang group] will lose face in front of the world community for using such ridiculous torture methods."
  Ms. Ma, 68, demonstrates one torture method, which confines practitioner in a small cage. |
 A young female practitioner demonstrates another torture method: Chinese police and guards jab bamboo sticks under a practitioner's fingernails. |
The anti-torture exhibitions demonstrate torture methods such as the Tiger Bench, Bamboo Sticks and confinement in a small cage, and vividly re-enact the on-going persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Ms. Ma demonstrated "Confinement in a small cage." The suffering she demonstrated was so touching that many people took the initiative to ask for Falun Gong truth-clarifying materials. Ms. Ma came to the U.S. 4 years ago to visit her daughter. She found that her daughter, who used to be very weak, became very healthy by practicing Falun Gong. Moreover, her daughter's temper became much better than before. Contrary to the propaganda in China, all Falun Gong practitioners she has met are very nice. Soon after her arrival, therefore, she also started to practice Falun Gong and her high blood pressure and heart disease then disappeared.
 Many Americans take the initiative to sign practitioners' petition in support of Falun Gong |
 Demonstrating Falun Gong exercises, the girl in the middle is only 10 years old |
 Passersby view truth-clarifying photos |
"I felt horrible [upon seeing the exhibition]. It is very sad that the whole world is casting a blind eye on the persecution. The only reason is money--trade with China," A middle-aged gentleman who had learned about the persecution several years ago said, "U.S. government should do something to pressure the Chinese government. If the international community used economic sanction, China would for sure stop the persecution."
Next to the exhibition, several practitioners, including a 10-year-old and her mother, were demonstrating Falun Gong exercises.
"So Awful! Terrible!" James Wagner said. Pointing to practitioners who were demonstrating the exercises, he said: "Persecuting such a peaceful and beneficial practice! The Chinese government [Jiang group] just fears anything, and feels everything is a threat to its interests."
It was the first time Justin Jacobs heard about the persecution. He said: "So awful! People just want to do a practice which they feel is good and righteous, and they didn't do anything wrong. There is no reason to persecute them and the persecution is totally wrong."
"Shocked! I feel regret for the persecution," another lady said, "Everyone should be able to practice their beliefs. I can't understand why the [Jiang group persecutes Falun Gong]?"
A practitioner introduced Falun Gong and the persecution to passersby: "Since its first introduction to public in China in 1992, Falun Gong spread quickly across the whole nation and around the world. In just 7 years, more than 100 million Chinese practiced Falun Gong. This number is more than the number of Party members. This incited then Chinese president Jiang Zemin's jealousy. Jiang started to persecute Falun Gong 5 years ago. More than 100 million good citizens have been persecuted; more than 1000 have been persecuted to death."
Many westerners know that communist governments are totalitarian regimes. A lady said that several days ago she read from a news report that 3 Christians had been sentenced to prison terms by Chinese authorities.
James Foote just started to practice Falun Gong several months ago. He was distributing Falun Gong truth-clarifying fliers to passersby. His home is very close to Central Park and he had just practiced Falun Gong in the park with other practitioners in the morning. He said: "I believe in Falun Gong. It helps me a lot both physically and spiritually. I want to help people know about the persecution in China because we live on the same Earth and we are all connected."
New Yorker Stan Benet signed the practitioners' petition and said: "Such a brutal persecution doesn't match with this modern age. I showed my support with my signature."