Friday, July 21, 2000

Falun Gong members staged protests in Hong Kong and Beijing yesterday on the first anniversary of the official outlawing of the spiritual movement. In Tiananmen Square, police arrested more than 90 people as authorities warned that "strong political forces" were manipulating the group. Most demonstrated individually or in small groups - unfurling small banners, sitting in the lotus position or meditating.

Hong Kong protesters tried to deliver a letter to Beijing's Liaison Office in Happy Valley, following a meditation session outside by about 200 demonstrators from the Hong Kong Association of Falun Dafa that started at 1pm. The members left the letter on the pavement, picked up their mats and dispersed. More than 100 returned at 6pm to stage a candlelight vigil throughout the evening.

Since the ban, 24 followers have died while in detention, according to the Hong Kong-based Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.