USA: University Students Oppose the Persecution of Falun Gong in China

(Clearwisdom.net) According to a report in the Spartan Daily,(1) a newspaper of San Jose State University, on April 15, Sean Bashaw, director of extracurricular affairs of the university's students' association proposed a resolution that would announce the student association's condemnation of the Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa.

"I do think it is our place (to pass such a resolution)," Bashaw said. "There is a lot going on in China. People have the right to live the way they choose."

The director of governing affairs expressed that Falun Gong is a meditation technique which has spiritual component. However, the Chinese government is attempting to eradicate it by persecuting its followers.

Executive Director De Alba said the board should be prepared for the resolution's consequences. "Don't be surprised if you get a letter from the Chinese government."

Mr. Bashaw, who proposed the resolution said, "Even though I am Christian, my religion teaches that God gives people the right to choose their lifestyle. That's why I pushed so hard to get it passed."

San Jose State University is not the only university whose students are concerned about the persecution happening in China.

The Emory Wheel,(2) a newspaper in Atlanta Georgia, reported on February 11, 2003 that Emory's Student Government Association (SGA) and its chapter of Amnesty International have joined with other schools across Atlanta to demand the release of Ms. Zhou Xuefei, who was arrested by the Chinese authorities and detained in a Chinese labor camp because she passed out pamphlets about the practice of Falun Gong.

Together with various Atlanta schools such as Morehouse College, the University of Georgia, and Georgia State University, the Student Government Association passed a series of resolutions in the fall that were sent to U.S. Senators Zell Miller (D-Ga.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), said the report.

"It is important for the SGA to put pressure on the government when necessary," said SGA President Chris Richardson. "Helping a fellow Atlanta resident reunite with his wife after such atrocities is simply the right thing to do."

According to Clearwisdom.net, the SGA of Emory University, in conjunction with Morehouse College, Spelman College, the University of Georgia, and Georgia State University wrote to U.S. Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. in Beijing to request the Ambassador urge the Chinese government to immediately release Ms. Zhou Xuefei. ⁽³⁾

The students were happy to learn that Ms. Zhou Xuefei was finally released in January this year after a 3-year imprisonment.

[...]

(2) SGA demands release of Falun Gong prisoners

http://www.emorywheel.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/02/11/3e490dcc472a8

(3) Students from Emory University and Other Universities in Georgia Write to Appeal for Ms. Zhou Xuefei's Release

http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2002/12/9/29535.html

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