The Epoch Times

Jul 05, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC …quot; As tourists and locals prepared to celebrate Independence Day in the nation's capital, more than 100 Falun Gong practitioners, pro-democracy advocates, human rights activists and others gathered in front of the White House this weekend to call for an end to what some described as "state-run terrorism" by the Chinese government.

The rally was quickly organized by the Global Coalition to Bring Jiang to Justice (GCBJJ), the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG), and the Press Freedom and Human Rights League (PFHRL) following last week's drive-by shooting of a Falun Gong practitioner in South Africa.

David Liang was driving to Pretoria with other Australian practitioners when he noticed a white BMW following them. A passenger in the car fired several shots from an AK-47 at Mr. Liang and his group, disabling the car and leaving Mr. Liang with serious injuries to both feet. The Australians were headed to a press conference where they were expected to announce a lawsuit against Vice President Zeng Qinghong who was visiting South Africa with China's Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai. Falun Gong practitioners contend that the Chinese officials are behind the attack. They have responded with press conferences, rallies, appeals to world leaders and other activities to call attention to the shooting.

"The terrorism from Jiang's group and its challenge to justice, to peace and democracy is not something that can't be seen or touched; it has already touched upon our life and it fills this world and has even deeply influenced our mind," said Li Dayong, a representative of GCBJJ who traveled from Boston to attend the rally.

Representatives from the Free China Movement and the China Support Network were also among the rally speakers. "The shooting of a Falun Gong practitioner in South Africa in front of the world shocked the whole of humanity into realizing that the state terrorism of the Chinese communist regime is real, and is extending outside the borders of the PRC, said Lian Shengde, executive director of the Free China Movement.

John Kusumi, who heads the China Support Network, likened China's crackdown on the Falun Gong movement to 1989's Tiananmen Square Massacre and described a secret Chinese government order issued in 2002. "The directive said that to better welcome the Olympics, that they were ordering a crackdown against Falun Gong, with specific measures that violate their human rights," Mr. Kusumi said.

"Imagine if you will, a T-shirt that says, ˜I survived the Cultural Revolution, Tiananmen Square, and the Olympic Crackdown!'" he continued.

Mr. Kusumi suggested that after Saddam Hussein is put on trial, former Chinese President Jiang Zemin should be the next dictator brought to justice.

Sixteen-year-old Pedals for Peace spokesman Brian Nieh was joined at the rally by others who rode bicycles from Washington, DC to Chicago, Illinois in May. The group formed to raise awareness about the plight of the 14 million children whose parents practice Falun Gong in China. "Imagine, being beaten, denied of your education, orphaned, tortured, even killed, just because you practice Falun Gong, just because you follow 'Truthfulness Compassion Tolerance,' just because you want to be a good person," he said.

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