Truth vs propaganda.

Two weekends ago at Hagely park Falun Gong practitioners finished their exercises to hear a passer by remark ‘These people are told to go to Tiananmen Square and burn themselves’. The individual was referring to a 2001 event when a number of people set themselves alight in Tiananmen Square who the Chinese Government claimed were Falun Gong practitioners. The Kiwi practitioners were saddened that still some people remain affected by an event that has nothing to do with the practice of Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) or its three principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Instead the incident has more to do with the lengths the Chinese Government will go to in order to defame Falun Gong to justify their irrational persecution of millions of law abiding people who were simply striving to be healthy and good in heart.

The persecution Of Falun Dafa in China is not only a China issue, but one which involves the whole world. New Zealand citizens who practice Falun Gong have been affected both directly and indirectly by the persecution, ranging from New Zealanders having their fiancé’s imprisoned in China, to continually dealing with false propaganda spread by Jiang Zemin’s regime, to having proclamations rescinded, to having Falun Dafa posters removed, to being denied involvement in community events such as some Christmas Parades etc. Many New Zealand residents and citizens have family members facing persecution in China, or have even experienced the brutality themselves.

Awareness of the brutal persecution Falun Gong practitioners face in China has steadily increased internationally since the persecution began on 20th of July, 1999. Across the world Governments, NGOs and individuals have come to know there is no justification for the brutal repression of Falun Gong. Practitioners in over 50 countries continue to peacefully clarify the truth about the Falun Gong practice and the persecution in the hope that with more people knowing the truth the sooner the brutality will cease.

Please feel welcome to be involved in a press conference held by local Falun Gong practitioners, where there will be ample opportunities to discuss how they feel about the persecution and how they feel it affects all Kiwis as well as Falun Gong practitioners. This will also be a celebration marking the 12th anniversary of Falun Gong’s introduction to the public, which is on Thursday, 13th May 2004.

WHERE: Cathedral Square, Central Christchurch
WHEN: Saturday, May 15th 2004

Any further questions or enquiries:
Sam: 021 180 3319
James: 03 314 7267

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