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Singapore Human Rights Lawyer: "You Have Demonstrated What Forbearance Is with Your Behavior"
(Clearwisdom.net) Two Singapore practitioners were recently charged by
the local police for protesting outside the Chinese Embassy. From August 29 to
September 1, a hearing was held and the case will reopen on September 25. On August 28, more than 100 practitioners from 7 countries went to the
Subordinate Court to attend the hearing. However, the courtroom was the smallest
one, with just 12 seats. As four seats were taken by representatives from the
Singapore Police and Ministry of Domestic Affairs, there were only eight left
for practitioners. Outside the courtroom, there was not even a chair. In a
narrow corridor, the practitioners formed three lines and stood quietly without
blocking traffic. From 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., every day they stood quietly outside
the courtroom. They continuously recited Lunyu and sent forth
righteous thoughts. When the hearing adjourned at the end of a day, they left
the courthouse in silence, leaving no trash behind. Police officers on duty asked practitioners' attorney Mr. Ravi, "These
practitioners are very disciplined and make us also disciplined. So many people
are standing here quietly. I know Falun Gong is good. What can I do for
them?" The lawyer said with a smile: "Give them more room to
stand." He replied: "Sure." On the first day of the hearing, the police officers were under high tension
and made numerous phone calls. Because of practitioners' noble demeanor, as the
hearing moved on, they became more and more relaxed and started to greet
practitioners. Some even asked for copies of The Epoch Times newspaper,
and some chatted with practitioners. Mr Ravi also commended practitioners:
"In the past, I only knew that Falun Gong is being persecuted and I had
great sympathy for you. However, I didn't know much more than that. Today, you
have demonstrated what Forbearance is with your behavior." For displaying a banner which read "July 20 Hunger Strike to Protest the
Chinese Communist Party's Inhumane Persecution of Falun Gong," three
practitioners were charged with "harassment by displaying insulting
writings." The Subordinate Courts began to hear the case on August 28 and
adjourned on September 1. The court case will resume on September 25. Posting date: 9/12/2006 |