Media Update from Canada: Hunger Strikers on Parliament Hill Increases to 100

Media Update March 14, 2002

Ottawa, March 14 -- The first day of a hunger strike by approximately 70 Falun Gong practitioners came to an end on Wednesday March 13 with a beautiful candlelight vigil in front of Parliament Hill. The number of hunger strikers increased to over 100 this morning.

Some other Falun Gong practitioners in Canada who were unable to make the sudden trip to Ottawa have joined in the hunger strike from their homes and workplaces.

The hunger strike is in response to the most severe escalation of violence against Falun Gong practitioners by Chinese officials since the start of the persecution over 2 years ago.

Chinese president Jiang Zemin, without proper legal procedure, reportedly gave orders to "Kill (Falun Gong practitioners) without Pardon", immediately following a March 5 surprise TV broadcast in Changchun city in northeastern China that was supportive of Falun Gong. Cities and provinces across China have been compiling lists of specific Falun Gong practitioners to be executed.

A letter to the PM was delivered to the PMO on the first day of the hunger strike. It urges the Canadian government to put forth a resolution at the United Nations 58^th Human Rights Commission starting next week, condemning the unprecedented escalation in the persecution of Falun Gong in China. "It is Canada's international responsibility to stop this state terrorism in China," said Zenon Dolnyckyj of Toronto, who initiated the hunger strike

This request was echoed by several MPs yesterday who personally commended practitioners on the site of the hunger strike, and more wrote supporting letters.

China's police have received orders to "shoot on sight" any Falun Gong practitioners seen handing out or posting Falun Gong flyers in China. So far, four practitioners have been reported shot in the streets in Liaoning and Heilongjiang Provinces. (see detailed and photos of person shot reports at http://faluninfo.net )

Falun Gong is a high level self-improvement practice that is based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. Mr. Li Hongzhi introduced it to the public in 1992 in China. Since then, millions of individuals around the world have taken up the peaceful, meditative practice.

Due to its popularity in China, Falun Gong was banned by Jiang Zemin's regime in 1999. A massive propaganda campaign started to demonize the group to justify the persecution. According to government sources, at least 1,600 practitioners have died in the hands of police.

Websites: www.faluninfo.net and www.falundafa.ca

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