The start of a cross-country walk by Falun Gong members was launched with a demonstration outside the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver on Monday.

"We hope to awaken people's hearts and show that terrorism has no boundary,'' Falun Gong spokesman Sophia Bronwen said.

"To date, nearly 300 Falun Gong practitioners have been confirmed dead in police custody in the crackdown,'' she said. "More than 100,000 are reported to have been sent to labour camps without trial.'

About three dozen Falun Gong members participated in the protest which coincided with a national holiday in China. The 4,500 kilometre relay is part of the SOS! Global Rescue Walk and also includes Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien is visiting China next month and Bronwen is asking supporters to write him before he departs.

An estimated 70 to 100 million people practise Falun Gong in [over] 30 countries. Even though the Chinese government is opposed to the movement, the majority of those who practise Falun Gong are based in China.

About 10,000 Falun Gong members demanded a halt to attacks on practitioners by China's state-run media last year. The protesters surrounded Beijing's Zhongnanhai leadership compound and asked for official recognition.

Supporters describe Falun Gong as a self-improvement practice involving mind and body [...].

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