[Editor's note: In this article, the author is referring to a cable TV broadcast that was tapped into by Falun Gong practitioners in Changchun, Jilin Province in March, 2002. Recently, Chinese authorities have alleged that Falun Gong practitioners in Taiwan tapped into satellite TV signals and aired a program about Jiang Zemin selling a large portion of Chinese territory--nothing related to Falun Gong. However, the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association has stated that it is not aware of any Falun Gong practitioners being involved in this incident.]

Is it illegal for the Jiang regime to ban the voices of its citizens from newspapers, TV, etc? I don't know, but it is certainly immoral. A government exists for the people, not vice versa. It is illegal to prevent Falun Gong practitioners from appealing, it is illegal to prevent their voices from being heard in court, it is illegal to deny them fair and open trials, and it is illegal to deny them the benefit of the Chinese Constitution and the UN International Human Rights Charter!

When all channels of communication are cut off from a noble soul, he will still find a way to express himself, still find a way to be heard. Would anyone say this is illegal?

If so, then I would remind everyone that in the 1770s, freedom loving patriots in America took a stand for their fellow citizens and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor. They had newspapers, they had free speech, but they were not being heard. They stood up and made a statement for the King to finally hear. The tea belonged to the King of England. Did they do something illegal? Did they damage the King's property? Were they criminals? Well, history finds these questions shallow and ridiculous, as all Americans revere those founding fathers of their country.

Finally, I don't think the broadcast infrastructure in China belongs to the Communist Party. Who paid for it--wasn't it the people? Doesn't the Party serve the people? Then Falun Gong's broadcasting on the national airwaves simply reflects the practitioners' courage to uphold the ideals of the country. It is not illegal; it is noble, and history will view it as such.

Category: Opinion & Perspective