UK: Falun Gong Practitioners Invited to the “Festival of Peace” in Glasgow, Scotland

A wet and windy start to the day soon gave way to sunshine as many people gathered with hope for a better future. The stall that had been assigned to Falun Gong had already been filled by another group, which turned out to be very advantageous. Instead of being far away from the crowds, our table could now be set up right next to the path in view of everyone as they entered the grounds. The graceful exercises and beautiful music attracted many passers-by.

Well over 300 people signed a petition asking the organisers of this year’s Edinburgh Tattoo to wholeheartedly consider the implications of inviting China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA) to perform in the show. Jiang Zemin, ex-leader of China, is currently the Commander-in-Chief of the PLA. He is also the instigator of the terrible persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. He ordered “destroy them physically, ruin their reputations and bankrupt them financially” and “deaths through torture count as suicide” Hundreds of thousands of people, including women, children and the elderly, have been forced into labour camps and face unimaginable torture everyday. Over 1,000 have been confirmed dead through torture, simply because they refused to give up their belief in the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance.

Everyone knows that this persecution of good people is wrong and now more and more are willing to speak out to support what is right. One woman was heard to say to her young daughter while signing the petition, “Sometimes you just have to stand up for what you believe in!”