Press Conference in New York Condemns Jiang Regime's Use of a Blacklist to Persecute American Citizens

(Clearwisdom.net) At 10 a.m. on July 8, American Falun Gong practitioners gathered at Times Square on 42nd Street, in New York City. A press conference was held concerning Falun Gong practitioners who were refused entry into Iceland and Hong Kong, due to a blacklist provided by the Jiang regime.

A representative of the Falun Dafa Information Center explained that the governments of Iceland and Hong Kong recently utilized a blacklist, provided by Jiang's regime, to deny entry of American citizens that practice Falun Gong into these countries. It was expressed that this indicates that Jiang's regime has brought its state terrorism against Falun Gong to America, as well as to other democratic nations.

American citizen, Dan Bihan, a 68-year-old woman who lives in the Queens District, described her experience of being persecuted as a result of being blacklisted in Hong Kong and Iceland. On June 22, 2002, Ms. Dan was detained after the Hong Kong Immigration staff found her information on its computer. She was asked to sign a statement of entry denial. After Ms. Dan refused to sign, the Hong Kong police forged her signature. They then wrapped her up in a canvas bag, and forcefully carried her to the plane to be repatriated. Ten days earlier, Ms. Dan had tried to go to Iceland, and was told that she could not board the plane because her name was on a list.

Ms. Dan stated: "Since I practice Falun Gong, I am healthy in mind and body, with improved morality. I cannot understand why my name is on a blacklist because of my practicing. If one day Jiang decides to heavily persecute the Catholic Church or Christianity, he will also order a blacklist to be created for its adherents. I am calling upon all kind-hearted Americans to discover the underlying reason for the blacklist, and defend the freedom and safety of American citizens."

In another case revealed through the Falun Dafa Information Center, on June 11, 19-year-old Evan Mantyk, a first year student from the University of Michigan, was traveling to Iceland via Baltimore. Iceland Airlines found his name on a list, and promptly cancelled his ticket. He was told he could not visit Iceland. Evan was shocked, because he had not booked the ticket publicly. He thinks that it is illegal for a foreign country to collect a list of names of American citizens on American soil. "Where did Jiang's regime get the names of American citizens living in America? Did the regime act independently? If it did, that is shocking. Did any American assist them? If so, people should be even more upset."

According to the information provided during the press conference, more American citizens, including Eddie Eg and Mela Wu Malin, discovered that their names appeared on the blacklist, without justification, on their trips to Iceland and Hong Kong.

Mela Wu Malin informed the journalists that the American justice department is very concerned about the blacklist that was compiled.

The Associated Press, World Daily News, Mingbao Daily, Epoch Times, Xintangren TV Station, and other media sources that were present conducted on-the-spot interviews.

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