Singapore: The People Say, "We Support You!"

I am one of those involved in the trial in which Falun Gong practitioners have been charged with "assembly without a permit" in Singapore. Pressed by time, I took a taxi to the court on Tuesday. I started chatting with the taxi driver and asked him if he had heard about Falun Gong. He said, "Yes, it is a good cultivation practice that keeps you fit. I saw some people teaching Falun Gong when I was in Clementi. I have attended a few sessions. I am too busy to continue, but I will when I get time. Many taxi drivers in Clementi do Falun Gong exercises. They all know the true story of Falun Gong."

When I told him about the charges against Falun Gong practitioners for distributing fliers, he said, "It is very Singapore-like. I have seen your fellow practitioner protest in front of the Chinese Embassy. I admire her. Many taxi drivers have seen the woman practitioner demonstrate in front of the Chinese Embassy. We all admire her...but I haven't seen her for while." I told him this practitioner was arrested and charged for her peaceful protest. She was convicted and thrown into prison.

The driver said, "Singapore dare not offend China and has to please the CCP. Well, don't protest in front of the Chinese Embassy. It is too dangerous. It is safer to distribute fliers." I told him that wasn't safe either. We were charged for "assembly without a permit." He said, "Well, we can't help. We dare not help you distribute fliers because we have to make a living for our families. If I am arrested, my license will be taken away. The only thing we can do is to give you moral support."

I told him as far as he knew it and told his friends about it, he was doing a good thing. He said, "Yes, I did. I passed on truth-clarification materials to my friends and to my customers. I do exercises. How can they treat such a great practice like this? It is too cruel!...Lee Kuan Yew is very cruel to the people he doesn't like. We all know it...Eight out of ten taxi drivers support Falun Gong."

I gave him a DVD of Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party before I left. He was very grateful and thanked me repeatedly. He held the DVD with two hands and said, "Remember, we support you!"