That changed dramatically on April 25, when the attention of international media focused on a peaceful appeal by 10,000 practitioners to the Chinese authorities in Beijing.
The gathering was unplanned, yet orderly. It placed a huge number of people on the streets, yet was quiet and devoid of any element of protest. The participants—far from presenting themselves as against the regime—were there to respectfully petition at the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) central office designated to receive petitions.
Yet almost immediately, the event was spun and mischaracterized as a challenge to authority. Media outside China took their cue from Beijing, painting an ominous, yet inaccurate portrait of the event.
The event was used as an excuse to launch a systematic and violent persecution of Falun Gong practitioners that began on July 20 and continues ten years later, with thousands confirmed killed from torture and abuse.
What led up to this gathering? What happened behind the scenes in Beijing afterwards?
Background: Falun Gong in China
Mr. Li Hongzhi held the first Falun Gong workshop in Changchun on May 13, 1992. He was presented with a number of awards and honors by official bodies during 1992 and 1993, including the title of “Most Acclaimed Qigong Master.”
The book Zhuan Falun, written by Mr. Li Hongzhi was published by a state-run publisher, China Broadcasting and Television Publishing House, in January 1995. The book became one of the best sellers listed in the Beijing Youth Daily in January 1996.
By early 1999, based on a survey by the Chinese regime, there were at least 70 million people of all walks of life practicing Falun Gong all over China. Other credible estimates put the number at 100 million.
Precursors to Formal Persecution
Guangming Daily, the mouthpiece of the State Council, published an article by a columnist denouncing Falun Gong on June 17, 1996. On July 24, 1996, the Chinese News Publication Office issued a nationwide circular banning the distribution of all Falun Gong publications.
In early 1997, the Public Security Bureau began a nationwide investigation to gather evidence in the hopes of defaming Falun Gong. However, all of the police stations around the country finally reported after much investigation: “no evidence found so far.” The investigations thus came to an end.
On July 21, 1998, the First Division of the Public Security Bureau issued a 1998-No. 555 circular “Notification Regarding Starting an Investigation on Falun Gong.” The “Notification” claimed that Mr. Li Hongzhi was spreading rumors and evil teachings and that some core practitioners were engaged in illegal activities in the name of Falun Gong. However, the circular then also mentioned that the Public Security Political Protection Departments in each area should begin a thorough investigation to get inside information on Falun Gong activities and find evidence of crimes committed by core practitioners using Falun Gong.
It appears that the circular followed the common communist procedure of convicting someone of a crime and then looking for evidence later. This “Notification” resulted in the local Public Security departments in a number of areas around the country to illegally raid Falun Gong practice sites, forcibly disperse practitioners, search homes, break and enter into civilian residences, confiscate people’s private property, and so on.
Falun Gong ‘Only benefits and does no harm’
[caption id=”attachment_84914″ align=”alignleft” width=”320″ caption=”Falun Gong practitioner meditate during a celebration in Sydney commemorating the tenth anniversary of Falun Gong