Villagers Help Rescue an Engineer; Petition Signatures Increase to Nearly 2,300

In the past two months, it was reported that 1,500 villagers from Changli County, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, signed a petition to help rescue Mr. Zhou Xiangyang. The successive reports attracted lots of attention. The account on Clearwisdom.net, “A Young Couple's Miserable Experience: Waiting Seven Years, Nine Years of Unjust Imprisonment” moved many people in Changli County.

As a result of the intense pressure applied by citizens demanding justice, the Tianjin Procuratorate investigated Gangbei Prison. Based on what has happened so far, it appears that the Procuratorate has put a minimum amount of effort into the investigation, and may even be trying to cover up the crime. Under such circumstances, the number of people who have signed the petition to help rescue Mr. Zhou is still increasing. The supporters are no longer limited within Mr. Zhou's home village or hometown. Nearly 2,300 people from about ten towns in Changli County have signed the petition.

Mr. Zhou Was Tortured Endlessly and His Family Had to Sue the Prison

Mr. Zhou Xiangyang, a former engineer at the Tianjin Railroad Department's No. 3 Exploration and Design Institute, was born in Matuodian Town, Changli County, Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province. He graduated from Northern Jiaotong University. He practises Falun Gong and is a man of integrity. It is very easy in China to make a bit of extra money on projects, but he would never take the offered bribes and was able to resist the bad influences in his life. He received the most awards and bonuses among the young engineers because he was acknowledged to be honest, reliable and hard working.

Mr. Zhou was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2003. In Gangbei Prison, he underwent multiple torture sessions. He was confined in small areas, shocked with electric batons for extended periods, deprived of sleep, and beaten. Even worse, he was bound to the ground with rings for four months. Mr. Zhou went on a hunger strike for a year and a half to protest this treatment. As a result, he became emaciated and was released on medical parole.

Mr. Zhou's wife, Ms. Li Shanshan is from Tangshan City. She met Mr. Zhou only three times before she decided to marry him. When she learned that Mr. Zhou's family were either detained or had to leave home for practising Falun Gong, she voluntarily took the responsibility to visit Mr. Zhou in prison. She asked the prison officials to marry Mr. Zhou and her. This request shocked the officers. Later on, she was arrested and sentenced to a forced labour camp for fifteen months for appealing for Mr. Zhou. However, it didn't change her mind. She waited for a total of seven years until Mr. Zhou got out of prison. They got married. But their happiness only lasted for a year.

On March 5th, 2011, Mr. Zhou was taken back to Gangbei Prison. He has been on a hunger strike since his arrest in March. Mr. Zhou's family was finally driven beyond their limit and filed charges against Gangbei Prison, accusing them of crimes of torture and abuse of Mr. Zhou. Mr. Zhou's mother submitted an accusation letter. His wife, Li Shanshan, wrote a mournful self-account in the open letter “A Young Couple's Miserable Experience: Waiting Seven Years, Nine Years of Unjust Imprisonment” and sent it to the relevant government organizations. This letter has been published on several overseas Chinese websites.

Moved by His Miserable Experience, People Join the Effort to Release Mr. Zhou

Meanwhile in Mr. Zhou's hometown, many fellow villagers were distraught after reading the account and moved by the couple's spirit. Later on, practitioner Li Xiwang was persecuted to death within ten days of being bound to the ground with rings in Gangbei Prison. At the family's suggestion, many villagers signed a petition, expressing their desire for the release of a good, upright citizen and supporting the punishment of the criminal police.

More than 1,500 villagers out of a total of 2,000 villagers from Mr. Zhou's village have signed their names. Even though this movement had been reported earlier on, the authorities didn't take any action. A similar incident happened previously. It was suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) top official Zhou Yongkang, however, it has become much more well-known. That might be the reason as to why the CCP didn't take action this time.

As a result of the intense pressure applied by citizens and the attorney's accusation, the Tianjin Procuratorate investigated Gangbei Prison. When Mr. Zhou's family inquired about the status of their appeal at the Prison Administrative Bureau, the answer they received was: “There is no such appeal.” The Tianjin Procuratorate replied that they are still investigating, but they didn't provide a date.

Many villagers ask about the progress when they see Mr. Zhou's family. They moan when they learn that the prison hasn't released Mr. Zhou. However, more people are signing the petition. As Mr. Zhou's story spreads, people from about ten towns in Changli County have signed their names to help rescue Mr. Zhou. More than 20 people from Tangshan have also signed.

The number of signatures has now reached 2,294, which is 799 more than the previous number of 1,495. Many people expressed that they want to help Falun Gong practitioners but don't know how. They are pleased to be able to contribute to the petition to help rescue Mr. Zhou.

A young couple said, “Falun Gong practitioners are good people. If we all practised Falun Gong, our harvested crops in the fields wouldn't get stolen.” A couple in their 60s said, “We'll sign it. People who practice Falun Gong are good people. There are few good people among the CCP members. Good people are being persecuted.”

A man in his 50s said, “My tears came down after reading 'A letter to people in my hometown'. I almost never cry. Is it true? If it is true, the CCP is wrong to torture good people with such cruel punishment.” Another woman couldn't sleep after reading Li Shanshan's open letter. She doesn't know what has happened to this world, where the good are labeled as bad.

A former CCP member in his 70s said, “We have been deceived by the CCP for several decades. The CCP is very bad. Falun Gong practitioners are good people. The petition is to rescue good people. I'll sign it!” He called other people by his side, “Come rescue good people. Sign it.”

A 38-year-old woman said, “Falun Gong is miraculous. I had felt ill several months ago and was vomiting and couldn't eat. I shouted Falun Gong is good!' My symptoms alleviated ten minutes later and I was perfectly fine the next day. I experienced Falun Gong's incredible power. Signing the petition is to save Falun Gong practitioners. I'll sign it.” Another villager said, “My life is given by Falun Gong. I'll sign it! The other day, I was driving my tractor in the rain. The road was slippery and the tractor hit a hollow with a jerk, tipping the turning wheel off. My tractor was heading toward the river. I quickly shouted "Falun Gong is good!' Suddenly, the truck stopped with a clatter sound!”

Mr. Zhou's family are sending the new signatures to the relevant government organizations. They are also going to appeal to the higher supervisory institution about the irregular work behavior during the investigation such as not checking the evidence source, not telling the investigation category, not setting the date for the investigation, and not letting the attorney meet the victim.

Related articles:

Vigorous Efforts to Rescue Zhou Xiangyang Exert Pressure on CCP Judicial and Public Security Organizations
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/10/27/129021.html

Over a Thousand People in Mr. Zhou Xiangyang's Village Sign a Petition Calling for Justice (Photos)
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/9/18/128180.html

Mr. Zhou Xiangyang's Family Files Lawsuit Against Gangbei Prison
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/9/6/127877.html

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/10/18/248034.html