Japan: Practitioners Hold a 12-Hour Appeal in Front of the Chinese Embassy

By Practitioners in Japan

October 2, 2002

On October 1st, China's National Day, a group of Japanese Falun Gong practitioners arrived at the Chinese Embassy in Japan. They held up banners and peacefully appealed for the immediate release of Yoko Kaneko and two Chinese practitioners, Hu Guoping and Yang Wen, both students in Japan who were arrested when they went back to visit China. Japanese Falun Gong practitioners peacefully appealed for 12 hours--from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

It was windy and raining that day, and even though the practitioners had umbrellas and raincoats, they were still soaking wet. Despite the wind and rain, they quietly did Fa Zheng Nian [rough translation - sent forth righteous thoughts. This can be understood as a type of meditation.].

Around 9:30 a.m., a police car came and a police officer walked towards us. He said that there were too many people in front of the embassy, and that our banner was too big and we could not tie it on the roadside fence. Practitioners kindly explained to him, "At least 487 fellow practitioners have already been tortured to death. We must call for an end to the persecution." As we were untying the banner and holding it with our hands, we explained to him, "The wind is too strong. If we do not tie the banner on the fence, it cannot be seen from the opposite side." After seeing that we were still peacefully appealing despite the severe wind and rain, the police officer's attitude towards us became warmer. Practitioners expressed gratitude for his understanding, and he left after asking a few other questions. The surrounding practitioners continually did Fa Zheng Nian [rough translation - sent forth righteous thoughts. This can be understood as a type of meditation.]throughout.

Published : Sunday, 13 October 2002