Albertans Gather at Chinese Consulate to Appeal for End to Killings

Edmonton Falun Gong Practitioners Join Round-the-Clock Sit-In at Chinese Consulate in Calgary: "Stop the Slaughter in China!"

EDMONTON, July 13- Edmonton's Catherine Lee and Tom Ozimek will join Calgarians Ian Oliver and Dan Rintoul this Saturday in a round-the-clock sit-in in front of the Chinese Consulate in Calgary, which will last until at least July 20th. Joining a 300-hour round-the-clock appeal at Chinese Embassies and Consulates in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, they call on the Chinese Government to immediately put an end to the persecution of Falun Gong.

Catherine, a 28-year old UofA Pharmacy graduate, said, "I am deeply upset by the unrelenting and escalating torturing and murdering of Falun Gong practitioners in China. I cannot sit by any longer when such atrocities are being perpetrated against these good people. We must stop the madness and slaughter in China now!" She was shocked and distressed with the recent news that 15 female practitioners were tortured to death at the Wanjia Labour Camp in the city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, and fears the worst is yet to come.

Tom, a 26-year old who works at Spar Aerospace as an aircraft structures technician, commented, "The province of Heilonjiang is officially Alberta's "twin province"; when I heard that an act of such barbarity took place in one of its labor camps and when I reflect on the relentless persecution that is taking place over there I just couldn't sit by any longer. Someone has to speak out for those whose cries for justice are being choked from their throats." He adds, "Just today news broke that over 10 Falun Gong practitioners were beaten to death at the Changlinzi Labor Camp in Heilongjiang Province. This sickens me. It simply must stop."

Ian, a 44-year-old father of two continues, "On the other side of the world Falun Gong practitioners are going through living hell. They have endured unimaginable suffering and oppression for protecting the values of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance with their lives. In Alberta we're free to meditate under the open sky. In Heilongjiang, Alberta's "sister province," the authorities could arrest and murder you for practicing Falun Gong out in the open!"

Together they appeal, "All kind hearted people please appeal for Falun Gong! Come and join us in front of the Chinese Consulate until China stops the persecution and frees Falun Gong practitioners and frees Falun Gong."

July 20th marks the 2-year anniversary of the Chinese president's crackdown on Falun Gong. Media interview available

What: Round the clock sit-in : 24-hours a day until at least July 20

When: 12noon Saturday, July14

Where: In front of the Calgary Chinese Embassy (1011 6 ave SW )

Contacts: Tom Ozimek.....780-717-5109 cel Chi Yao Yeh.....988-5657 hm 990-6622cel