Director of Falun Dafa Association of Canada Testifies in Defamation Trial Against Les Presses Chinoises

(Clearwisdom.net) On the morning of November 24, the trial against a Canadian-based Chinese language newspaper, Les Presses Chinoises, for libel and incitement of hatred against Falun Gong entered its ninth day. Mr. Xun Li, Director of the Canadian Falun Dafa Association and a senior computer engineer testified in court. Per the court's request, he further explained Falun Gong-related issues. He also talked about how the libel has brought harm to him and his family, and exposed how the Chinese ruling party extends the persecution of Falun Gong overseas by intimidating overseas Chinese media outlets to spread rumors and stir up hatred against Falun Gong.

Mr. Li confirmed that Falun Dafa Association of Canada is run by Falun Gong practitioners and does not accept any donations. It is completely for the benefit of the society.

Mr. Li also submitted a wide variety of Falun Gong truth-clarification materials exposing the persecution, including Witness, Compassion, Truth of Tiananmen Square Self-immolation, and other Chinese and English newspapers and brochures. In conjunction with its persecution of Falun Gong in China, the Chinese Communist party spreads rumors overseas to deceive people. In response to this, Falun Gong practitioners have made various truth-clarification materials to clear the rumors.

When asked about the sources and the funding of such materials, Li replied that these materials are all based on truth and contain solid evidence, and that practitioners edit and print the materials at their own expense.

Li continued, saying all the materials are passed on to practitioners at cost, and practitioners who care to do so use personal income to purchase the materials and offer them to society for free. When Les Presses Chinoises published articles slandering Falun Gong, in order to clear the rumors, Falun Gong practitioners distributed free materials in Montreal.

Li pointed out that Les Presses Chinoises listed his name and his wife's name in the series of slanderous articles published between 2001 and 2002. In addition to listing their names, Les Presses Chinoises also clearly indicated that the articles target all Falun Gong practitioners. Li said, "These articles quote Falun Gong teachings out of context, and are full of distorted facts and foul language. They not only hurt myself and my family, but are also a shameless blasphemy of Falun Dafa, the founder of Falun Dafa, and all the practitioners."

Two days ago, Li's wife, Lucy Zhou, a computer engineer, talked about how their son was abused at school by people who have been deceived by the propaganda cooked up by Les Presses Chinoises. Their son Patrick is 7 years old. He used to be very proud that his parents practice Falun Gong and he often showed his friends and teachers how to do the exercises. But now he does not want to mention Falun Gong to others. One day this summer, after coming back from a Chinese school, he said, "Mom, why do other people say people who practice Falun Gong are all bad and silly?" Lucy asked where he heard this. Patrick said, "My friend's daddy saw my daddy wearing a yellow Falun Gong T-shirt and said that." Lucy said, "My son did not tell me about this until several months later."

She also said, "During a Chinese people's gathering, I saw a 12-page signature form on a table. About 20 people held Les Presses Chinoises in their hands." While Lucy was clarifying the facts to them, some people yelled the contents published in the newspaper to her. Therefore, Lucy tried even harder to tell people the facts. Some people changed their attitude afterwards. One person told Lucy secretly, "I know all the things you are talking about. However, please do not say them here. People from the embassy are in here."

The Jewish people, who escaped the Nazi massacre, are still plagued by nightmares today. In comparison, it is relatively easy to forget bodily injury, but mental trauma often lasts for one's entire lifetime.

11/30/2003

Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.ca/mh/articles/2003/12/1/61585.html

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