(Clearwisdom.net) February 25, 2003 Dear Mr. Powell: My heart is greatly troubled as I write this letter to you. Right now a dear friend of mine, an American citizen, Dr. Charles Li, is imprisoned in a jail in
Yangzhou, China, for no other reason than practicing a peaceful spiritual practice, Falun Gong. I
cannot stop thinking what type of torture my friend may be subjected to right now. China's prisons
have reinstated the tortures perpetrated on the citizenry during the Cultural Revolution. Falun Gong
practitioners are exposed to unimaginable and inhuman terror. I have grave concerns for the safety
of Dr. Li. I befriended Dr. Charles Li at a Falun Gong cultivation experience sharing conference. He
impressed me as a quiet, trustworthy, and honorable man. Yet, such a nice man as Dr. Li, was
unlawfully arrested upon his arrival at the Guangzhou Airport. Three years ago when the Jiang regime began to persecute Falun Gong, I visited the National
Appeal Bureau to clarify the truth about Falun Gong. [The National Appeal Bureau is an autonomous
government agency in China, which is independent from all executive and legislative agencies. It was
established as an open public forum, where every Chinese citizen may seek justice against unfairness
perpetrated by the existing executive or legislative administration.] Instead of finding redress of
my grievances, I was arrested twice, just for exercising the right of a Chinese citizen to appeal to
the National Appeal Bureau. During the detention I had to endure hunger and brutal interrogations,
as well as constant violence and threats. It was also during the interrogations that I experienced
for the first time that the Chinese policemen would not hesitate to tell vicious lies to change my
thinking. I felt violated, as well as physically and mentally abused by the Chinese police. Many of
my fellow practitioners from Beijing are now either locked up in concentration camps or forced to
endure the most inhuman torture. Others are either destitute or homeless so they may escape the
brutal persecution. As a Falun Gong practitioner who was fortunate enough to escape the persecution
after having experienced first-hand brutality, I am certain that there are no laws or justice in
China for Falun Gong practitioners. Please understand the implication of Dr. Charles Li's arrest by the Chinese police on arrival at
the Guangzhou Airport! It proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Chinese government has been
collecting names of overseas Falun Gong practitioners, including western Falun Gong practitioners,
through its embassies, consulates, and an enormous network of spies and special agents. I am
speaking from experience, as I have been subjected to threats in a number of ways. My phone has been
tapped and my conversations with fellow practitioners have been played back on my answering machine.
My car had been smashed, and a giant rock was placed on top of my car as a threat. All of this has
happened on US soil. Keeping the appalling behaviors of the Chinese government's agents in mind, I believe that you
would agree with me that Dr. Li's unlawful arrest, the arrest of an American citizen, could be seen
as kidnapping by the members a gang. It is most horrifying to know that American citizens' rights
were not protected on foreign soil, and American citizens are now subject to cruelty and blatant
disregard for human rights in China. I am proud of America, a country that stands for liberty and human rights. Now, the Chinese
government disregards these principles that are the cornerstones of America. It is unbelievable that
a government that dares to terrorize its own people now also threatens American citizens. We have to
break our silent acquiescence and uphold justice immediately. Dr. Li's fiancée, Ms. Fu, is a very lovely but determined young woman, doing everything in her
power to rescue Dr. Charles Li. I understand her pain and I am deeply moved by her determination and
conviction. I hope my voice of concern has touched your heart. I hope that you can find it in yourself to do
whatever is in your power to help rescue Dr. Charles Li. Please bring back Dr. Charles Li without delay. Please help us to end the brutal persecution of
Falun Gong. My most sincere thanks for everything you have done to uphold justice, peace, and order. Sincerely, Cathy Jin
Posting date: 3/1/2003
Original article date: 3/1/2003
Category: Falun Dafa Worldwide