November 4, 2003

(Clearwisdom.net) About 60 people gathered in central Melbourne today to protest against human rights abuses in China.

Members of the Coalition to Bring Jiang to Justice held a peaceful rally in City Square to alert the public to what it says are former Chinese president Jiang Zemin's crimes against humanity.

Coalition members include groups who suffered persecution under Jiang Zemin's rule, such as Falun Gong practitioners and Christians.

Coalition members, who braved cold and windy conditions in Melbourne, held banners saying "Bring Jiang to Justice" and "Uphold Human Rights".

Falun Dafa Association of Victoria spokeswoman Ana Vereshaka said the meditative practice known as Falun Dafa or Falun Gong, was outlawed in China in 1999 and its practitioners persecuted.

"Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it," she said.