A Recent Scene In Front of the Chinese Consulate in Houston
By Lin Xinyuan, Clearwisdom reporter
On the night of September 28, 2004, the Chinese consulate in
Houston held a celebration and invited many local Chinese celebrities. Learning
this news, Falun Gong practitioners in Houston went to the consulate, hoping to
clarify the truth of Falun Gong to the local Chinese people and the consulate
staff. One practitioner arrived several hours before the party
began. He practiced the exercises on the lawn in front of the consulate. Several
staff from the consulate tried to drive him away, claiming that it was illegal
to practice on the lawn and called in the police. Soon four policemen arrived.
After finding out the whole story, the police told the staff that what Falun
Gong practitioners did was legal. According to the local practitioners, they have been
practicing the exercises and appealing peacefully before the consulate
unremittingly for 5 years, since the persecution of Falun Gong began. Recently
the consulate staff planted many flowers and bushes on the lawn facing the
consulate, to drive away Falun Gong practitioners, so practitioners contacted
the local police department and the city government. The mayor's office
responded saying that Falun Gong practitioners are allowed to practice in front
of the consulate. About an hour before the party began, practitioners who
finished working arrived at the consulate one after another. Some of them
practiced exercises, some displayed banners and truth clarifying signs. The
people who came to attend the party passed by the practitioners one by one with
smiles of goodwill and understanding nods. Some of them were well acquainted with one of the
practitioners present. They greeted the practitioner in the face of consulate
officials and chatted with him happily. One of them said to the practitioner, "I
went inside to attend the party, while my conscience stayed outside with you".
Another one went into the consulate with Falun Gong truth clarifying materials
presented by practitioners. A passer-by came over to find out what had happened. The
practitioners explained the story. He then said, "I support you completely. I
have some emergency matters now; however I would like to take 5 minutes to
appeal together with you." After speaking he stood among practitioners. The consulate officials nervously came to the door. One of
them came over and attempted to drive Falun Gong practitioners away again.
Practitioners remained standing there peacefully. One practitioner was kindly
reasoning with the official. At that time the police came over and told the
official to leave, claiming that the Falun Gong practitioners have the freedom
and right to appeal there peacefully. One practitioner expressed gratitude to the police and
comprehensively clarified the truth of Falun Gong, including the extent of the
persecution by Jiang's regime overseas and how Chinese embassies and consulates
circulate rumors and interfere with practitioners' activities. The police said that they support our appeals and were
thankful for our cooperation. They also said that they know very well that we
are peaceful and they felt at ease with us. One policeman said jokingly, "They
(the consulate) called us in to deal with you, but we came to protect you
instead. In fact we showed no partiality to any sides. We only support justice
and abide by the law." Another policeman said, "I saw a consulate staff take
your photos just now. Will that be harmful to you?" One practitioner answered:
"Since the persecution of Falun Gong started on July 20, 1999, they have been
collecting our names and personal information. Some practitioners (for example
Charles Li) were arrested upon arrival at Chinese airports." After practitioners thanked the police for their support,
several consulate officials immediately went to the police and tried to speak
with them further; however the police left impatiently. Later the police told
practitioners, "They (the consulate) are very hard to deal with." The party finished very quickly. About half an hour after the
party began, people began to leave. Some came over to see the truth clarifying
display boards, some accepted the truth clarifying materials and said "thank
you." Sometimes a group of people stood outside of the consulate. The
practitioners greeted them sincerely and invited them to learn the facts of
Falun Gong and to help stop the persecution, as well as wishing them a Happy
Fall Festival. When one guest left, he said to the practitioners, "You are
so amazing!" One practitioner said that the guest already heard the truth of
Falun Gong and was very sympathetic. He also admired practitioners very much but
he showed doubt that practitioners could carry on much longer. He said he would
wait and see. Whenever he saw practitioners take part in community activities or
held truth clarifying activities, he would express his admiration. Another guest stood before the truth clarifying display
board, saying, "I take your side. But why don't you just practice at home? That
way you can prevent being tortured or even murdered." One practitioner
responded, "The result will be the same even if you only practice at home.
Moreover even on the free lands overseas, many practitioners are still harassed
by consulates." He understood immediately and nodded repeatedly. Practitioners also seized the opportune moment to clarify the
truth to Chinese officials standing in front of the consulate and told them that
the prime culprit Jiang Zemin, who persecuted Falun Gong and other officials
involved, had been sued overseas. More and more people across the world know the
truth and stand out to support Falun Gong. The practitioners advised the
officials not to take part in the persecution. The officials did not speak and
listened silently. One of them quietly took off the card with his name. Practitioners feel more and more people are learning the
truth of Falun Dafa. The goodness and the unrelenting efforts and great
benevolence and forbearance of practitioners are gradually going deep into
people's hearts.
Chinese version available at
http://www.minghui.ca/mh/articles/2004/9/29/85363.html
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