Germany: Calling for the Rescue of Xiong Wei during Mainz Information Day

Mainz is a well-known German college town. On Saturdays, the city centre is very busy. In the square in front of the grand theatre, Falun Gong practitioners from Mainz and neighbouring towns came to hold an information day to let people know about the persecution and to ask the German society to help rescue Xiong Wei, a former Berlin University student who was arrested in China for practising Falun Gong.

Those who wanted to help Xiong Wei could sign a petition that will be submitted to the German Chancellor Her Schroder. Those who wanted to personally encourage Xiong Wei could write a postcard and send it to her in custody. This postcard is jointly printed by the International Human Rights Organisation, the German Falun Dafa Association and Berlin Industrial University’s German Language and Cultural Exchange Association. Xiong Wei’s photo was the background on the front side of the postcard, on which there was also a poem written specially for Xiong Wei. The poem reads:

“My thoughts fly toward China and land by your side, my friend.
A tear drop of solemn respect falls from the depth of my soul for you.
You are so selfless.
My friend, come out for Falun Dafa and tell the people of the world how unjust are those who persecute peace-loving persons.
My heart is still with you.
Tears are dry and turned into a confident smile for your freedom.”

Xiong Wei used to be a student of Berlin Industrial University. In 2000, she returned to China to work at the Beijing office of a German company. In early 2001, she was arrested for giving out materials about the persecution against Falun Gong that was and still is happening in China. She is still detained in Beijing’s Xinan Women’s Labour Education Institute.

Mr. Crowler, a German police officer in Darmsdt city who has practised Falun Gong for many years, came to take part in the activity with his wife Marriot. She said, “here we can give distribute any Falun Gong materials freely, while people are arrested in China simply for giving out leaflets, which is unbelievable to me.” Mr. Crowler said, “We hope to let more people understand us through this kind of activity and let them see that Falun Gong practitioners are not like the people described by the Chinese Embassy’s rumours, but a group of nice and peaceful people.”

Xiong Wei had been studying and living in Germany for more than five years, which made it possible for many German people to easily relate with her. People signed their names on the petition one after another after having understood the situation. They were also glad to take a postcard to mail it to Xiong Wei to show their concern and support for her.

Chinese version available at http://www.yuanming.net/articles/200308/23715.html