On October 5, four practitioners tried checking into a hotel in Beijing. The owners became very much alarmed when they found out that the four were from Weifang, Shandong province. The owners said, "Full occupancy, no more rooms, you guys better leave immediately." Inside one of the rooms, someone (who later turned out to be a local security policeman) overheard that the guests were from Weifang and said that rooms would be available only if they cursed Falun Gong. The practitioners turned their backs and left, but the local security policeman chased after them. Then more than ten local security policemen trapped them in an alley. Someone said, "Didn't you want to find a room to stay in? We will take you there." They forced the practitioners into a police car and took them to a police station. Another two practitioners were caught while making phone calls; they did not even have a chance to find a hotel.

At the police station, there were also practitioners from Dalian. That same night the local police officers stationed in Beijing took away those practitioners who disclosed their names and addresses during interrogations.

Those practitioners who refused to disclose their names and did not cooperate during interrogations were locked up together with the practitioners detained on the first day. Police took away all their food and drinking water and forbid them to use the toilets. So, the practitioners spontaneously went on a hunger strike.

The next day (October 6) police tried persuading practitioners to eat some food. But practitioners stated firmly that they would not stop the hunger strike unless they were released. Practitioners took this opportunity to tell the Truth of Falun Dafa' to the police. They recited loudly Master's poems, Lunyu, articles from Essentials For Further Advances and practiced the exercises. A guard showed interest. In order to hear and watch clearly, the guard finally brought his chair to the front door. At night, the police ordered practitioners to get into a car. Practitioners refused and asked the police to set them free. Finally, they were forced to get into the car. Practitioners expected bigger tribulations ahead and decided to show no cooperation with the police under any circumstances. Surprisingly, the police dropped off the practitioners in a suburb. One of the policemen said, "Get out of the car, and follow the road with street lights to get to Tiannamen Square." Practitioners then realized that they were being released.

China Practitioner

Oct 8, 2000