(Clearwisdom.net) On August 1, 2008, the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) held a press conference in front of the Chinese Consulate in Toronto. CIPFG released information on labor camps within a few miles from Beijing Olympics contest venues. During the press conference, Falun Gong practitioners spoke out about their experiences of suffering persecution in China.

Labor Camps Near Olympics Contest Venues

Gina from CIPFG gave a speech on behalf of director Clive Ansley, "Many of us heard of Chinese Gulags. But when we find that innocent people are suffering in such hell-like labor camps that are so close to Olympics contest venues, it is appalling."

CIPFG provides the information on labor camps to help overseas reporters to break through the CCP's media blockage and report on the CCP's violations of human rights, which the CCP tries to keep hidden.

The information lists the infamous labor camps where Flaun Gong practitioners are brutally tortured.

Falun Gong Practitioners Forced to Take Drugs Used on Mental Patients

Practitioner Wang Zhi from Shenyang, China was sent to forced labor camps twice. The first time was on March 31, 2000 in Masanjia Labor Camp. The second time was February 26, 2003 in Tiantanhe Women's Labor Camp, Daxing, Beijing.

Ms. Wang was forced to work and watch videos defaming Falun Gong and was deprived of sleep.

"Especially during the second time, the forced labor injured my spine," said Ms. Wang. "Later I became very thin. The camp guard said I had a mental problem and put me in solitary confinement. I was not allowed to go out."

"The camp guard forced me to take two drugs. As a result I became very sleepy and my body trembled. I could not walk later. I found later that the two drugs are for used for patients with mental disorders," she said.

Calling for an End to the Persecution

Paul York and his girlfriend came to the spot to support Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to stop the persecution.

Paul said, "We support Falun Gong practitioners. The CCP's persecution violates human rights. We know that Falun Gong is being persecuted in China. These practitioners protest in front of the Chinese Consulate every day. I saw them whenever I passed by."

"Everyone has right to protest human rights abuses. We have freedom in Canada and should speak out," said Paul.

Chairman of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, Zhang Zhaojin, said in his speech that the CCP escalated the persecution of Falun Gong under the pretext of the hosting the Olympics. Since the end of last year to June 30, 8037 practitioners were unlawfully arrested and imprisoned.

Mr. Zhang said, "Hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners were unlawfully imprisoned in jails, brainwashing centers, and mental hospitals even before the CCP's escalation of persecution. This is the biggest human rights disaster in the world."

"We strongly condemn the CCP intensifying its persecution of Chinese people under the pretext of hosting the Olympics. We call on people to help stop the nine-year-long brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China," said Mr. Zhang.