The Rescue Activities for Charles Li at the University of Illinois

(Clearwisdom.net) UIUC is the main campus of the University of Illinois, having a total of nearly 40,000 students. Charles Li lived and studied there for nearly four years and attained a Master's degree in physiology. Upon learning the news of Charles Li's unlawful arrest, the Falun Gong practitioners in UIUC have launched various rescue activities.

The Daily Illini, the school newspaper of UIUC, is quite influential among the students and faculty. Practitioners reported the news about Charles Li and introduced the facts about Falun Gong to the editor. The editor responded quickly. Reporters interviewed relevant people and a feature story was published on the front page. The students and faculty therefore came to know that an American citizen, a UIUC alumnus, was arrested in China for practicing Falun Gong. Unfortunately, besides introducing the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, this article also published the Chinese Consulate officials' attacks and slander against Falun Gong. Upon reading the article, practitioners felt that we had loopholes in clarifying the truth about Dafa. The practitioner in charge of media relations realized that he/she was not careful enough; other practitioners realized that it was caused by the loopholes in the practitioners as one body. For example, one practitioner naturally thought that the media would definitely write a positive article at that time and therefore did not pay attention to the media matter. However, this and other actions left loopholes for the evil to take advantage of. Teacher said at the "Washington D.C. Fa Conference," "Wherever there's a problem, that is where you need to clarify the truth and save people." Having understood this matter from the Fa, two practitioners found the editor of the newspaper and explained the truth about Falun Dafa in detail. After learning the true situation of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, the editor expressed his regret about the article and indicated that he would write another article to make up for it, should an opportunity arise again. After some contemplation on this matter, practitioners unified our understanding through group Fa-study and sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil. On March 7, the day when practitioners around the country gathered in Washington D.C for the Charles Li Rescue Rally, Daily Illini wrote a very positive piece on it and posted this article on the front page of the newspaper.

There are many touching stories in the signature collection for rescuing Charles Li. Upon learning that Charles is being persecuted in China for practicing Falun Gong, the majority of students and staff signed their names to express their support. Some students spontaneously went to the signature table to sign their names. Some people expressed their anger over the Jiang regime's persecution of an American citizen for practicing Falun Gong, and said that they must sign their names.

A staff member has the same name as Charles Li. After signing his name, he asked many more details about Charles Li and took information related to helping him. He said that he would seek help from his friends and family members. He also wanted to make a donation to help rescuing Charles Li. Although we declined his good intention, we felt happy for his understanding and support of Falun Dafa.

Three students working in the school cafeteria told us, "Oh, Falun Gong. We know. We often see you practicing on campus. Your exercises are very peaceful. I would like to join you when I get a chance."

Two Chinese girls said they were already aware of the persecution of Charles and other Falun Gong practitioners in China and signed their names without any hesitation. They hoped that Charles could be released as soon as possible.

Two Christians wrote down Charles' name and said that they would pray for him that night.

One practitioner met with Dr. Schwarz, the President of the Medical School of UIUC. Upon hearing the practitioner's brief introduction about Charles Li's situation, he said that he understood Falun Gong, signed his name, and brought the practitioner to meet with Dr. Hall, the Assistant President in charge of student affairs. Dr. Hall was shocked upon hearing the news. He not only signed his name, but also helped to contact the local medical human rights organization. A professor who used to be Charles' mentor wrote to Mr. Powell, the Secretary of State and Mr. Randt, the United State Ambassador to China to strongly demand that the U.S. government take the necessary measures to rescues Charles Li. She wrote, "I and my colleagues who know Charles unanimously think that the U.S. government should take powerful measures to ensure Charles' release. This is immoral behavior and an intolerable human rights violation."

The reporter from Daily Illini interviewed the practitioner conducting the signature collection, "Why are you coming here to ask for signatures for Charles?" The practitioner told her, "I am also a Falun Gong practitioner. It is wrong for Jiang to oppress Falun Gong. No good person should be arrested. Being good and believing in Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance should be promoted and respected in the world, including China."

Since Falun Gong practitioners in UIUC often participate in the activities organized by the UIUC student branch of Amnesty International, the people there are familiar with the persecution of Falun Gong in China and have been supportive about Falun Gong practitioners' activities against the persecution. In their weekly meeting, more than twenty attendees signed their names in order to rescue Charles Li. Each person also wrote a letter to the Secretary of State Powell seeking help and requesting the Chinese government's release of American citizen Charles Li. They expressed their indignation towards the Jiang's regime's persecution of Falun Gong and other spiritual beliefs, as well as other human rights violations. They could not tolerate the Jiang regime's arrest of an American citizen for practicing Falun Gong and said that this behavior of violating human rights and depriving an American's freedom of belief should be condemned.

As long as the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners continues, we have yet to clarify the truth deeply and expose the evil.

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