Blacktown City Guardian: Hunger Strike

By Alison Leader

Marayong resident John Zhuo has just completed a four-day hunger strike, waging a personal protest against the alleged persecution of those who practice Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) in China.

Falun Dafa aims to improve the body and mind through meditation exercise, with the principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.

Mr Zhuo said going without food was hard, but something he needed to do.

"I had nothing but water," he said. "By the fourth day my heart was pumping really quickly."

On August 25 a member of the group was taken to hospital suffering from dehydration as a result of the strike.

Mr.Zhuo said their aim was always to bring peace.

"We don't get angry," he said. "We just want to ask people to help stop the persecution."

"The government was meant to release the practitioners at the end of their terms but they're refusing to."

The Chinese prisoners have been on a hunger strike for almost a month.

Mr. Zhuo practises Falun Dafa in Blacktown's Alpha Park every Sunday and takes part in Blacktown festivals along with other practitioners.

"We like to share it with our local community," he said.

Federal Member for Greenway Frank Mossfield said he had been contacted by Mr. Zhuo regarding the persecution and had sought to help him.

"I sent a letter to the minister expressing my concerns," said Mr. Mossfield.

"I have no doubt the organisation is under duress. It's a human rights issue from our point of view."

"We would give him as a resident of Greenway moral support and freedom of expression."

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