Chicago, USA: Practitioners Hold a Press Conference At the Chinese Consulate to Condemn the Shooting of Falun Dafa Practitioners in South Africa (Photo)

By Falun Gong practitioners in Chicago

(Clearwisdom.net) On the morning of June 29, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners in Chicago gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate General to hold a press conference regarding the drive by shooting of Falun Gong practitioners in South Africa by unknown assailants on June 28, and strongly condemning Jiang's political followers terrorist act of employing hired assassins.

It is reported that two of the perpetrators who bear direct responsibility for the persecution of Falun Gong, Zeng Qinghong was visiting South Africa along with Bo Xilai on June 27-29, 2004. Falun Gong practitioners traveling to South Africa to attend a press conference, were shot at by hired assassins at about 8:30p.m. on June 28, leaving one wounded. The car was hit at least five times. The driver David Liang was shot in his feet, and was the only practitioner in the car wearing clothing with the words, "Falun Dafa" to identify him.

At the press conference, practitioners held up large banners reading, "Seriously Punish Perpetrators Jiang Zemin, Zeng Qinghong and Bo Xilai Who Employed Hired Assassins," "Jiang's Scoundrel Government Hires Assassins to Kill People Against Heaven's Principle," and "Falun Dafa is Good." Practitioners also repeatedly explained in both Chinese and English about the shooting incident and condemned Jiang's group's terrorist act of employing hired assassins to persecute Falun Dafa practitioners outside of China.

Dr. Cheng, a spokesperson for Falun Gong stated that the shooting incident in South Africa was the most severe case of the persecution of Falun Gong being extended overseas. He also said that Falun Gong practitioners will make all efforts to let all governments, the media and public learn the truth about this incident. Dr. Cheng remarked that it was a shame that Jiang uses the Chinese government to act in such a scoundrel manner and employ such debased means to persecute innocent Falun Gong practitioners by hiring thugs to shoot them in another country. He finished by saying if people do not stand up to stop this terrorism today, such acts will take place in other parts of the world.

Dr. Cheng also introduced, "Since Jiang Zemin was sued in federal court on the charges of genocide, torture and crimes against humanity," Falun Gong practitioners around the world have filed lawsuits, in local judiciary organizations, in their respective countries against those perpetrators who bear direct responsibility for the persecution of Falun Gong, including Zeng Qinghong and Bo Xilai who are visiting South Africa. Falun Gong practitioners' lawsuits make the Chinese officials who owe blood debts for persecuting Falun Gong very afraid. This incident is an act of terrorism by Jiang's scoundrel regime by employing hired assassins in South Africa and it reveals Jiang and his followers' fear for the overseas lawsuits.

It is reported that both Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong and Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai who are visiting South Africa have been sued overseas. Bo Xilai has been sued respectively in the US, the UK and Poland this year, the charges against him are genocide, torture and crimes against humanity. Zeng, Bo and other Chinese high-ranking officials once ordered the suppression of Falun Gong in China, leading to torture and death of practitioners. Jiang's political group's harassment, threats, violence occurred frequently against overseas Falun Gong practitioners who peacefully appeal.

In September 2001, Falun Gong practitioners who were on a hunger strike appeal outside the Chinese Consulate in Chicago were violently assaulted by three persons including Zheng Jiming and Weng Yujun, and who later who plead guilty at Cook Town court in Chicago. On June 23, 2003, when Liang Guanjun, chairman of the Unified Organization of Overseas Chinese Associations of New York, Hua Junxiong and a group of people were hosting a banquet for a Chinese diplomat in Chinatown, they surrounded, assaulted and beat Falun Gong practitioners who were peacefully appealing near the restaurant. After the incident, the Chinese Consulate published a statement, openly supporting the violent acts of Liang Guanjun and his gang.

In the nearly five-year persecution of Falun Gong, in foreign countries, Jiang's group has once again escalated its degree of brutality against Falun Gong practitioners worldwide from harassment, interference of basic human rights to death threats, beatings and damage and now employing hired assassins. Practitioners strongly called on the South Africa government to make a thorough investigation to find the behind the scenes instigators. The practitioners also hoped that governments of different countries condemn the Chinese authorities' persecution of Falun Gong practitioners inside and outside China.

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