PureInsight | December 23, 2002
Greetings Master! Greetings fellow practitioners!
My name is Lu Jie. I am a practitioner from Hong Kong, and one of the 16 practitioners charged in the framed up legal suit. It's my honor to attend the Philadelphia Fa Conference. On behalf of the 16 other practitioners, I will report to Master and my fellow practitioners the details of the event. At the same time I would like take this opportunity to report briefly on our Fa-rectification through petitioning against Article 23 of Hong Kong Basic Law.
Early last March, practitioners in Changchun successfully showed films of Jiang Zemin's persecution of Falun Gong on network TV. After that, Jiang Zemin outrageously issued secret orders to kill Dafa practitioners. The situation in Changchun called for immediate action. In order to stop the brutal suppression carried out by Jiang Zemin's group of scoundrels that has lasted for three years and to help the precious Chinese people know the truth about the persecution, four Swiss practitioners decided to go to Beijing to validate Dafa. Their visas to Beijing were however, suddenly cancelled by the Chinese consulate for no reason. So they decided to hold a peaceful appeal in Hong Kong. They put aside their work, families, comfortable lives, and traveled thousands of miles to Hong Kong to safeguard the truth of the cosmos and rescue the practitioners being persecuted in China. They planned to hold a three-day hunger strike in front of the China Liaison Office in Hong Kong.
According to the law in Hong Kong, a petition comprising less than 50 people does not need special permission from the police. The China Liaison Office is situated in Hong Kong's western district. In front of its main entrance is a pavement of about 10 meters wide and 33 meters long, and has little pedestrian traffic. Ninety-five percent of the staff of the China Liaison Office enters the building in the morning via the back door, which is open to a street with transportation. On the morning of March 14 at 8:50am, the Swiss practitioners orderly and quietly sat on the pavement outside the Liaison Office. They occupied only a space of about 2 meters wide, leaving plenty of space for pedestrians. Immediately the security of the Liaison Office complained to the police. We learned afterward that in an interval of several minutes the Liaison Office's security called the police five times, pushing them to take action.
Silently, the four practitioners sent forth righteous thoughts. Following that they unfurled a banner saying, "Stop Jiang Zemin's Killing Order, Urgent Rescue of Falun Gong Practitioners". Some Hong Kong practitioners stood behind them, also sending forth righteous thoughts.
The police came. Many reporters came too. The Swiss practitioners read to the reporters a statement, which explained why they came to appeal and exposed the persecution of Falun Gong in China. From 9am to 10am the police kept giving the Swiss practitioners warnings, stating that their sit-in might obstruct other people and asking them to leave. At around 10:00 a.m., the police placed a row of iron barriers in front of the Liaison Office, which blocked the thoroughfare leading to the Office's front door. Then they put more iron barriers along the pavement, occupying three-fourths of the pavement and leaving only a small opening for pedestrians. At 1pm., they parked two police cars on the pavement. Dozens of police officers arrived and jammed the area completely. That is when several more Hong Kong practitioners joined the peaceful appeal. At 1:10 pm, Superintendent Zhao of the West District gave the order to forcefully arrest practitioners. Seventy some police arrived, as if they had been confronted by a large number of enemies. The Hong Kong practitioners joined their arms to surround the Swiss practitioners, preventing them from being carried away by the police.
Since we totally ignored the police's unjustifiable request the police started to use violence on us. They used a method of pinching the acupuncture points that cannot easily be seen by an observer. That is to hold a practitioner's head with the left hand while pressing hard with the right thumb on the acupuncture points behind the practitioner's right ear. This is a method used to handle criminals. It stops the blood from going to the head, causing dizziness, pain and a choking sensation. Almost every practitioner experienced the agony of this attack. The police forcibly took apart our linked arms and carried us into police vans. Nine practitioners were injured. Inside the yard of the police station, they asked us to get out of the van. We firmly refused to follow their orders. We knew that we hadn't violated any laws and shouldn't have been arrested in the first place. We tried to reason with them. Still, we were carried one by one from the van to the interrogation room.
In the police station, we repeatedly stated that our appeal in front of the China Liaison Office was due to Jiang Zemin's bloody suppression of Falun Gong in China. And repeatedly we told the police that our peaceful appeal was lawful and that they shouldn't treat us like criminals. We didn't comply with any of their requests; we didn't show our IDs or sign any papers. The final signature was to obtain bail. Signing the paper would grant us an immediate release on the condition that we reported to the police when requested. Otherwise, we might be charged with criminal offenses. We completely ignored everything and maintained only one thought: Do not comply with the police's unjustifiable requests. Thus we were detained in the police station for nearly 30 hours. On March 15 at around 5:00 pm, the police team handling serious crimes escorted the 16 of us to the West District Court, where we were charged in respect of "obstructing the street" and other alleged offences.
On a spacious pavement we occupied only 7 square meters with no slogans, no noisy shouting, and no improper action. "Obstructing the street" is a charge aimed at peddlers, not people in an appeal. Yet under the pressure of the evil regime of Jiang, Hong Kong's Secretary of Justice summoned us to court with this totally inappropriate charge, using the so-called law to persecute Dafa and all sentient beings. It is said that upon our arrest Beijing showed great concern for the incident and immediately sent agents to Hong Kong. The evil uses every means available to persecute Dafa disciples in the name of testing us. Our arrest did not follow proper legal procedure. Initially there were charges in respect of only two alleged offenses. Later the number of offenses jumped to seven, including "obstructing the street," "obstructing the police" and "assaulting police." Every one of these is a framed-up charge. Hong Kong is a society based on the rule of law and Hong Kong's civil servants are of high quality and have a good reputation internationally. Under great pressure, however, from the Secretary of Justice to the police, they lied against their conscience and seriously damaged Hong Kong's international image. For the trial, the Secretary of Justice appointed two prestigious attorneys. The police listed more than thirty people as witnesses and prepared nine videotapes as evidence. The ten-day court hearing was extended to twenty-six days, spanning two months. In the courtroom the judge showed obvious favoritism towards the plaintiff and insulted our attorney. When our attorney requested to have another judge, the judge himself made the decision and denied his request. The police and the Liaison Office's security people repeatedly gave false testimonies. They made up stories that full of contradictions. They were unable to find any pedestrian to witness an obstruction or the possibility of an obstruction. It is in such a situation where there was no witnesses and no evidence that the judged completely disregard the law and the facts by handing the practitioners guilty a verdict on all the charges. In his concluding statement he even highly praised the performance of the police in their operation.
After March 14 we studied the Fa, exchanged experiences, looked within ourselves, and deepened our understanding of the Fa. During the period from March 14 to June 17, we looked for shortcomings in ourselves. We realized that the evil took advantage because we had human thoughts. Master said in "Teaching the Fa at the [2002] Fa Conference in Boston," "But sometimes, because we don't keep up our Fa-study, we handle like an ordinary person some of the things we do to spread the Fa and save sentient beings. This makes a lot of the sacred things we do not so sacred, it prevents us from doing them well, and it also causes people in society not to understand us sometimes. So it not only prevents you from improving, but also causes Dafa some losses." Through diligent study of the Fa and looking within ourselves, we found the not-so-well-cultivated sides of ourselves. During the whole event, especially when the police used violence, some of us became angry and displayed a competitive mentality. We were not able to stay calm like the Swiss practitioners. We kept emphasizing how unfairly the police had treated us. Also, our thought of protecting the Swiss practitioners was a human thought. Therefore, it didn't have a positive result.
We found ways in which we did not live up to Dafa's requirements and our various attachments. Through Fa study and experience sharing, we realized that it was good to have our shortcomings revealed. Once we found them, we eliminated them. Since then, we have been diligently cultivating benevolence, requiring ourselves to treat sentient beings with kind thoughts and to melt everything with the power of benevolence. Through two large-scale experience-sharing gatherings among Hong Kong practitioners, many practitioners changed their attitudes toward the incident. At the beginning, they didn't understand us and regarded it as something that only concerned the 16 of us. Later they really cared about us, tried to comfort us, and took the case as their own business. Many practitioners sent forth righteous thoughts during the trial. Practitioners joined together and became one body to improve as a whole. In addition, the practitioners around the world also cared about us. Practitioners in every country sent forth righteous thoughts around the clock. Practitioners in North America phoned us and exchanged experiences with us for hours. Three American practitioners, one of them a lawyer, came to Hong Kong to help us. Canadian and American practitioners held a three-day hunger strike with us. All this fully shows what Master says in "Teaching the Fa at the Washington D.C. Fa Conference", "The next person's things are your things, and your things are his things." We are all disciples in the same practice. We are one body.
During the framed up legal suit I deeply felt that because we had gaps we brought damage upon Dafa; I deeply felt how much Master has endured and gave up because of us; I also deeply felt the care of Dafa disciples in Hong Kong and around the world. Thanks to Master! Thanks to Dafa disciples in Hong Kong and around the world!
After group study and discussion, our righteous thoughts became stronger and stronger. We realized that though we have gaps, we won't let the evil take advantage of them, we have to completely deny the old force's arrangement. Master said in "Teaching the Fa at the 2002 Fa Conference in Boston," "But even so, it's actually because the old forces insist on testing Dafa disciples' xinxing that they've done this. That's definitely the case. If it weren't, this definitely wouldn't have happened. The best way to deal with this situation is for Dafa disciples to walk their paths righteously, to try their best not to let the evil or the old forces take advantage of their gaps, and to solidify their righteous thoughts. The old forces don't dare to oppose our clarifying the truth or saving sentient beings. What's key is to not let them take advantage of the gaps in your state of mind when you do things."
Master's words strengthened our righteous thoughts. We firmly believed that validating the Fa was the most righteous action, the best thing to do. From the standpoint of the Fa principles of this human world, what we did was completely lawful according to Hong Kong's Basic Law. The Basic Law stipulates that Hong Kong residents have the freedom of expression and assembly. Our peaceful appeal is part of our basic human right protected by the Basic Law. Certainly, what we do appears to be pretty much the same as what everyday people do. Yet while everyday people act out of their self-interest we act out of upholding the Truth of the universe. This is precisely what a Dafa disciple of the Fa-rectification period should do.
After the guilty verdict was issued on August 15 we immediately lodged an appeal. Then came our first test when the police wanted to take our fingerprints and pictures. Dafa disciples are labeled as criminals! How can this be acceptable? To deal with this test, we first remembered to keep our righteous thoughts strong and not to cooperate with the evil beings that were controlling the policemen to do bad things. We were not afraid. Master says in "Teaching the Fa at the Washington, D.C. Fa Conference," "Wherever there's a problem, that is where you need to clarify the truth and save people. Don't take a detour when you run into difficulties. When you see something that does us harm, or when you see something blocking our validating the Fa, don't take a detour you should face it, and clarify the truth and save those beings." So, on the morning of August 16, we made the decision to clarify the truth to the policemen at the station. We did not turn away from problems. The twelve of us went to the police station together. When Officer Deng of the Serious Crimes Unit saw us he thought we were there to give our fingerprints and said, "Only nine of you need to come, and there is no need for all of you to come." At that moment, a female inspector named Chen came up. We began to clarify to them the facts about how Chinese practitioners in Mainland China have been persecuted. We told them the reason for our appeal and explained that we had to bear our responsibilities for Hong Kong's future, for Basic Law and for the "One Country and Two Systems" policy. They kept nodding as they listened. Then they said, "In fact, we really admire your spirit in upholding your beliefs." We also gave them truth-clarifying materials to be passed to Superintendent Zhao. Officer Deng returned after getting permission from his senior and said, "You may leave now." It is in this way that clarifying the truth of Falun Dafa brought a miracle.
Another difficult test we faced was paying our fines. All sixteen of us were ordered to pay fines ranging from 1300 to 3800 Hong Kong dollars. We were not concerned about the sum of the money, but we are Dafa disciples of the Fa-rectification period and didn't commit any wrongdoing; how could we pay the fines? Attorney Ho Junren, a member of the Legislative Council, appealed on our behalf and asked the judge to postpone the fines, but his request was denied. Why were we not able to attain our goal? We believed it's because we had followed the convention of the everyday people. We are Dafa disciples of the Fa-rectification period and should put Dafa before everything. Paying the fines would mean confessing that we're guilty. Our actions directly affect Dafa's reputation in the human world. After discussion, we had strong righteous thoughts and firmly refused to pay the fines. "We are innocent!" Our lawyer replied, "If you don't pay the fines, you may be put into jail." We firmly believed that, first, we shouldn't pay the fines and, second, we should deny all arrangements of the old forces. Dafa disciples will never go to jail. Master says, "there is Master, there is Fa, what is there to fear?" We firmly believe in Master and firmly believe in Dafa. Since the problem is happening with the judge, we will go to him to clarify the truth. August 19 was the deadline for us to pay our fines. None of us paid the fines. In the afternoon we held a press conference exposing Jiang Zemin's persecution of Falun Gong. August 20 we went to the Western District police station to clarify Dafa's truth to Superintendent Zhao in person. From there we proceeded to the Western District Court and asked to meet with the judge, he was not available, however. We mailed him the truth-clarifying materials along with a letter requesting an appointment for strengthening the mutual understanding and trust between us. Finally, owing to our sincerity, we were able to meet with Superintendent Zhao on November 7. In a peaceful and rational manner we clarified to him the truth of Dafa. Thereafter, we went to the offices of the Chief Executive, the Secretary of Justice, the News Bureau, the Head of Administration, the heads of all government bureaus, the Police headquarter, the Immigration Department, the Cultural and Leisure Services etc. We presented to the offices truth-clarification materials in person and clarified the truth of Dafa to the staff. On Saturdays and Sundays we walked through busy areas to distribute fliers and VCD's. We have been to seventy-nine police stations to clarify the truth. We also presented truth-clarification materials to all courts and judges, attorneys and Legislative Council members. We make use of every opportunity available to expose the evil of Jiang Zemin. At the same time some Hong Kong practitioners traveled overseas to North America, Europe and Oceania to tell various governments and members of Congress or Parliament the truth of Dafa. We do what Master says, "Lose no time and save them, hurry up and tell them." (From "Hurry Up and Tell Them").
Jiang Zemin has for a longtime treated Hong Kong as a thorn in his eye, a nail in his body and looks for every means to ban Falun Gong in Hong Kong. September this year under the direct control of the Jiang regime, Hong Kong intends to use legislation based on Article 23 as an excuse to legalize the crackdown on Falun Gong in Hong Kong. Even when there is no hope for the evil at all, it still wants to advance in destroying sentient beings.
In fact Hong Kong's existing laws contain sufficient legislation to deal with actions that harm the nation or public interests. There is no need to legislate specifically on the issue of national security. Moreover, while Hong Kong has weathered so much over the last few decades, there is no sign whatsoever of sedition or subversion. Why is there such a hurry in legislating anti-subversion laws? In Hong Kong there is only a three-month consultation for the legislation while in Macau the legislation went ahead with no consultation at all. Since the evil has seen the end of its days it has become increasingly wild and crazy.
According to the consultation paper issued by the Hong Kong government on the legislation based on Article 23, when an organization is considered a threat to national security and is banned in the Mainland, any organization in Hong Kong associated with it may also be banned; the police may enter people's homes to search and arrest people without having to show a warrant or any evidence. Any opinions deemed by the Hong Kong government as threatening to national security is classified as subversive. Transmitting those opinions, whether in the form of speech, writings, or email, is also an offense. Knowing of the opinions but not reporting them to the police is also an offense, which is liable a maximum punishment of seven-years of imprisonment. The consultation paper of Article 23 is full of motivations to kill, which I will not detail here. Yet through it we see that the evil has really reached a stage where it has only the will but not the strength to carry on. They fear that their crimes may be exposed. With each exposure of their crimes a large quantity of them is eliminated. The Article 23 consultation paper irritates a lot of Hong Kong residents and has given us an invaluable opportunity for exposing the evil.
Using the Article 23 consultation as an opportunity, Hong Kong practitioners keep approaching different circles in society to tell people the truth about Dafa. We go to see District Council members, Legislative Council members, government officials and foreign consulates in Hong Kong to expose how Jiang tries to attain his self goal of persecuting Falun Gong at the expense of Hong Kong's 'one country, two systems" policy, trashing the future of the seven million residents of Hong Kong. Besides, we hand out fliers on the streets and invite people to sign for a signature-drive against Article 23. We also send forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil in the other dimensions.
Being Dafa disciples of the Fa-rectification period, we understand that the evil's outrageous attempt to legislate on the basis of Article 23 is directly related to the Hong Kong Dafa disciples as a whole. Master says in "Teaching the Fa at the Florida Fa Conference," "Let me tell you, all those who remain and that can persecute Dafa and Dafa disciples are due to students themselves." In fact a large quantity of the evil has been eliminated, they have the will but not the strength to carry on. The colossal firmament has already filled was Fa's light. In order to let us reach consummation as Dafa disciples of the Fa-rectification period, Master endures for us with the passing of every second and minute, so that we establish our Might Virtue, so that we may save as many sentient beings as possible. We need to clearly identify our shortcomings, study the Fa well, sincerely look into ourselves, and not let the evil have any chance of surviving in our minds and thoughts. Use "Pacifying the External by Cultivating the Internal" (From Essentials for Further Advancement) as the basis to clarify in detail, the truth of Dafa. Do well in sending forth righteous thoughts. Understand the Fa with righteous thoughts. With firm trust in Master, keep up with the pace of the Fa-rectification. The radiant light of our righteous thought is able to eliminate all evil. The evil is nothing. We need to solemnly take our responsibilities for Dafa and all sentient beings in dealing with Article 23. We should be clear that this is a historical responsibility we cannot shirk. We ought to be worthy of Master's expectations. We ought to be worthy of the expectations of sentient beings.
I would like to take this opportunity to call on Dafa disciples around the world to make use of this opportunity: Explain to your local governments the truth behind Article 23. Expose Jiang's intent to extend overseas his persecution of Falun Gong.
Let all of us Dafa disciples around the world be diligent. Let us completely eliminate as soon as possible the rotten ghoul that interferes with the Fa in our effort to save sentient beings.
In conclusion, I would like read Master's poem "Righteous Thoughts and Righteous Actions" to encourage mutual improvement amongst fellow practitioners:
"A Great Enlightened Being does not fear hardship
Having forged an adamantine will
And with no attachment to living or dying
He walks his path of Fa-rectification openly and nobly"
