A Chinese University Professor Speaks Out in Defence of Arrested Colleague

I am a colleague of Ms. Ye Mi at the Art's College, Xiamen University. Ms. Ye was arrested for the third time on December 27th, 2004 by the police. It was midnight when her 12-year-old son was awakened from sleep and fearfully watched his mother being taken away. It was dark and quiet outside. Inside the house, there was only a child left all alone by himself. The wounds of his tender heart had yet to heal from the previous shock, when another devastating blow came crashing down. The following day, students at the college waited in vain for Ms. Ye to teach the class, but there was no way for Ms. Ye to appear.

I asked many students, "What do you think of Ms. Ye?" They told me one after another, "Ms. Ye is one of the most liked and respected teachers at the college. Her classes are lively, and she teaches in earnest. In class she holds our hands to teach us drawing. After the class, she spends her free time patiently tutoring the slower students. She is the most outstanding young teacher in our department."

Not only was Ms. Ye's teaching welcome by students in her department, she also won praise and favourable comments several times at the interdisciplinary lectures across the university. She also cared about the students' lives. She quietly sponsored impoverished students from the outer suburbs many times. She never worried about rewards, gains or loss, professional titles, or advancement.

Ms. Ye had talked to me about being a good person according to the requirements of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Because of the government's suppression of Falun Gong, I did not pay too much attention to it at that time. However, Ms. Ye's actions and deeds have moved me. Falun Gong practitioners sacrifice their own interests to clarify the truth and save everyday people who do not understand the truth. I truly realised the meaning of "Falun Dafa is good!" from deep in my heart.

Such a good teacher, good colleague and good citizen as Ms. Ye, what laws has she violated? Doesn't the Chinese constitution clearly stipulate freedom of belief? What's wrong with the Falun Dafa that Ms. Ye believes in? She teaches people to do good. What Ms. Ye demonstrates is a truly commendable and outstanding character that is hard to find in today's society! Why does the government imprison such a good person in jail as a criminal, and yet is oblivious to and even indulges those shady characters who corrupt and ruin society and the nation?

As a university professor, out of sympathy to Ms. Ye and a sense of responsibility to society, I strongly call on the government and all people of vision to uphold justice and fairness, declare war on the true criminals, restore the freedom of Falun Dafa practitioners, and release the innocent Ms. Ye that we teachers and students miss!