(Clearwisdom.net) From November 12 to 13, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. Falun Gong practitioners from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, U.S.A. And Switzerland took this chance to clarify the truth of Falun Gong to public and government officials from all over the world. Since November 9, Practitioners held banners in the busiest areas, outside of the conference hall and hotels, telling people: “Falun Dafa is good”, “Falun Gong teaches Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance”, and calling for the end of the 12-year long persecution of it in China.
Many media outlets interviewed practitioners and reported their activities, including Reuters, Associated Press, L'Agence France Presse, and local newspapers and TV stations.
Holding banners outside of the hotel where Chinese officials stayed
Reporter: Everybody should have freedom of belief
Brooks Baehr, a reporter from Hawaii News Now, never heard about the persecution of Falun Gong in China. He was shocked when he learned about it during APEC. He said that it is a horrible thing to Americans, because everybody has freedom of belief in the American society. He said that Falun Gong is so peaceful and does not harm anybody. He cannot believe that it is persecuted in China.
Brooks Baehr, a reporter from Hawaii News Now
Gordon Pang, a reporter from Star Advertiser, the largest newspaper in Hawaii, is very interested in the Falun Gong issue and human right violations in China. He said that many Americans know about the human right issues in China. Pang said that in a democratic country people have freedom of speech. He is glad that practitioners have chances to have their voices heard during the APEC.
The report on Star Advertiser, the largest newspaper in Hawaii
Civil Beat, a local internet news agency, published three articles on Falun Gong during APEC. In the article, titled “Chinese Journalists Won't Report on Falun Gong Protests,” the author said that he talked to Chinese reporters during APEC, and all of them told him that reporting on Falun Gong is forbidden in China, and they would lose their job if they say something that the government does not like.
Reports on Civil Beat
Peaceful resistance
Ala Moana Center is one of the largest shopping malls in the world. Practitioners, wearing yellow T-shirts, held banners high in a park next to the center. Many tourists were attracted to their activities. They took photos, talked to practitioners, and took materials from practitioners.
Paul and Jason from Los Angeles talked to practitioners. Paul said that Falun Gong practitioners are different. “You are peaceful and rational. So I wanted to stop and learn what is going on,” he said.
Paul and Jason also watched the Falun Gong exercise demonstration. Jason said: “I don't even think this is a protesting. It is a peaceful gathering. They get together based on the common belief. The slogans on the banners are great. I am glad that you came to Hawaii and told us about the severe human right violations in China. You are doing the right things. I hope that more people will see the messages that you are trying to express.”
Paul and Jason wanted to sit with practitioners.
The policemen were touched by practitioners' peacefulness. One police offer gave practitioners his card, and said they can call him if anybody harasses them. Kathy, a policewoman, saw practitioners doing exercises in Ala Moana Park. She commented that it was beautiful and peaceful. “It isn't a protest. They didn't say anything. What I see in front of me is the powerful truth,” she said.
To be continued.
