Six practitioners from New York who participated in the peaceful appeal on Tiananmen Square on February 14 arrived in New York in two groups at 7 p.m. and 11p.m. on February 16. They are Scott Chinn, Eliana Penido, Dennis Baudis, Damon Noto, Sterling Campbell, and Bart Carlucci
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| Press Conference calling for release of detained Falun Gong practitioners | Practitioners and new media welcome 4 practitioners back from Beijing at La Guardia Airport | Reporters interviewing practitioners |
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| Reporters interviewing practitioners | NY practitioners welcome western practitioners back | Two western practitioners arrive at Kennedy Airport |
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| Two western practitioners receive warm welcome | Practitioners accept interviews | Group photo |
These six practitioners together with 30 other practitioners from 12 countries unfurled Dafa banners on Tiananmen Square and shouted "Falun Dafa Hao". They were soon detained forcibly by Chinese police. As soon as the news broke out, it drew the attention of the international community. Practitioners used different means to call for immediate release of the detained western practitioners.
Upon learning that 6 practitioners would be coming back to New York, 60 practitioners from New York waited at the airport for their arrival. Reporters from AFP, and World Journal V&P also came to airport before their arrival. When the western practitioners showed up, practitioners waiting presented them with flowers, and the song "Falun Dafa Hao" resonated in the air. Scott told of their experiences in Beijing to reporters and practitioners. Eliana showed a strand of hair pulled out by police and her torn pant. They told reporters that a Chinese American from California was among the group demonstrating on Tiananmen. Because she has a Chinese face she was surrounded by five policemen and beaten up terribly. Her entire face was covered with blood. They gained a deeper understanding of the perilous situation Chinese practitioners are facing in China. Further reports of physical abuse western practitioners suffered will come forward.
Practitioners expressed that the appeal will continue as long as the persecution against Falun Gong goes on. The world will more clearly see the evil nature of Jiang's regime and thus support the righteous Falun Gong.
Category: News & Events
