Press Statement: Irish Falun Gong Practitioner Appeals In China

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ¨C 2/16/2002 [http://www.clearharmony.net/ ]

Irish Falun Gong Practitioner Appeals in China

Appeal to the Hearts of Chinese People

DUBLIN, March 16th 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Centre) Falun Gong practitioner, Gerald O’Connor has made the several thousand kilometres journey to appeal to the Chinese government on behalf of Falun Gong practitioners inside China.

Mr. O’Connor’s appeal comes as Jiang Zemin regime begins a new escalation on the crackdown against Falun Gong. An order of “shoot to Kill” has been issued by Jiang himself after practitioners in the Changchun region broadcast Falun Gong truth clarifying programmes on several of the major TV stations. The Changchun area has approximately 1 million citizens, and has been the largest truth clarifying activity by Falun Gong practitioners inside China to date. Brian Trought, spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Information Centre stated, “The [Changchun] event has brought the truth of the persecution to thousands of people directly. Hopefully Gerald’s appeal will further clarify the truth to the misled Chinese citizens

We have been confirmed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs today, Gerald O’Connor demonstrated the Falun Gong posture and got arrested on Friday, 16th March. He was put on a plane to Paris today at 11:45 this morning Beijing Time.

Press Conference

To mark Mr. O’Connor’s return, a press conference will be held;

Where: Dublin Airport
When: 19.45
Contacts: Ms. Dai Dongxue 087 959 6370
Mr. Colm Quinn 087 798 3063

Righteous Words

In relation to his journey to China, Mr. O’Connor stated

“For nearly two years I have been practising Falun Dafa. Raising myself to the standard of truth-compassion-forbearance.

As I have practiced and gained so much (physical, mental and spiritual well being), I have watched in horror and disbelief what has happening to my fellow practitioners in China.

These people like me also found the principles of truth-compassion-forbearance admirable and decided to cultivate them in their hearts. Before and during the persecution they raised their morals to these values daily and benefited society in many ways.

After the persecution started and all means was used to defame Falun Dafa, these practitioners risked everything to tell their fellow Chinese people the truth and dispel the lies. So many people have suffered because of this persecution, it is wrong and should be stopped immediately.

I have decided to travel to China and help my fellow practitioners there. For nine days I will be in China and I will return on the 17th of March at 19:45 in Dublin airport, if you have any questions for me, please come and I will answer them then.”

Gerald O’Connor.

Please note: Mr. O Connor will arrive in Dublin Airport 1 day early
(March 16th)

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices in China, such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced
in over 50 countries. With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more
citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified it's propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it. The Falun Dafa Information Centre has verified details of over 375 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600. Over 100,000 have been detained, with more than 20,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps without trial.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTRE
Contacts: Dai Dongxue 087 959 6370,
Colm Quinn 087 798 3063 or Brian Trought 087 9911 892.
Email:[email protected], Website: http://www.clearharmony.net or http://www.faluninfo.net/