(1 Oct 1999) English/Nat
In Washington DC, members of the Falun Gong sect carried out a group meditation session outside the Chinese embassy on Friday as a protest marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of communist China.
China banned the sect in July, accusing it of spreading superstition and trying to replace the Communist government.
The Falun Gong members tried to deliver a letter of peace to the Chinese Embassy but without success.
SOUNDBITE (English)
Some people are treated very badly, some people because of this 50th anniversary, government feel (that) the practitioners are a threat. They just arbitrarily detained a lot of people to make sure that they don't go to Beijing and disturb this.
SUPERCAPTION: Dana Chang, Falun Gong Practitioner
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"They say today, they do not work but you see the door is opened, somebody is inside, Because they saw me come here, they just close the door, I think this is ridiculous because I am a Chinese citizen. Today is the celebration of the Chinese government for 50 years. I think I have a right and also I'm proud to be here and to deliver what I thought . Many practitioners hope but they just close the door, they don't want to hear anything from us. Still members how peaceful behaviour asking the government to release those who were withheld against their will in mainland China.
SUPERCAPTION: Zhong Tang, Falun Gong member
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are not against anything with the Chinese government, we just want to be very peacefully and nice people, we want them to release all the arrested practitioners, they are innocent. "
SUPERCAPTION: Zhong Tang, Falun Gong member
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