Published: Tuesday, February 15, 2005
The fiance' of a University alumnus and American citizen imprisoned in China
for more than two years was in Champaign on Monday as part of her effort to have
him freed.
During a midday rally outside the Illini Union, Yeong-Ching Foo and other
supporters, including some University faculty, gave speeches in support of
freeing Foo's fiancee Charles Lee. Lee, [...], visited China in January 2003 to
raise awareness about Falun Gong, [...]
Shortly after setting foot in the country, Lee was arrested by the Chinese
government, which has cracked down on Falun Gong practitioners.
"He's very daring. It was a very courageous act," Foo said.
Since his arrest, Lee has been forced into labor camps making anything from
shoes to Christmas lights while enduring relentless physical torture and forced
brainwashing to make him renounce his strong belief in [Falun Gong].
"They have no right to torture an American," Foo said. "No human
being should deserve this type of torture."
The brutality has contributed to a heart condition diagnosed by prison doctors
and U.S. consular officials, according to a letter written to the Chinese
consulate in Washington D.C. by U.S. Reps. Anna Eshoo and Tom Lantos. The two
congressmen have written several letters requesting Lee's release.
Other American supporters of Lee created a Web site, www.rescuecharles.org, and
a song entitled "Free Charles Lee."
Because of pressure from America, his beatings were not as severe, Foo said.
"He would have died without our support," she said.
Some at the University felt it was important for the University to play a role
in freeing the jailed alumnus.
"Because of this connection, I feel that we're obligated to help him,"
said Dongdong Zhang, graduate student and a Falun Gong practitioner.
"Because he worked and studied here, I think this connection will help
him."
Zhang and fellow practitioner Hao Feng, an associate professor of food sciences,
health and nutrition at the University, helped bring the cause back to the
University. They have brought Foo to speak on campus before and are spreading
the word about Lee's imprisonment.
"This kind of rescue effort is very important," Feng said. "It is
very effective in terms of improving his condition in jail and getting him
home."
Speaking out in support of Lee is also important because Foo said America
must protect its citizens.
"If someone like him goes and tries to spread the truth, should we not go
protect?" she said. "Are we sending the message that it's okay to
persecute him?"
Mark Cnudde, of the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong
Practitioners, agreed and said it was wrong for America to have taken such
little action to secure Lee's release.
"There is nothing wrong with what he attempted to do ... but it is wrong to
remain silent after Dr. Lee has been illegally jailed and tortured in China for
two full years," he said. "If we won't fight for the life of an
American, who will?"
Though Foo said she was not blaming anyone for her fiance's situation, she still
was not pleased that such little action has been taken.
"The fact is, this is pretty sad. He should be back in America," she
said." America is pretty powerful. If it worked harder, we would be able to
(bring him back.)"
Source:
http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2005/02/15/News/Fiancee.Rallies.To.Free.Alum-864176.shtml
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