(Clearwisdom.net) Below is a letter from the Mayor of Azusa to a Falun Gong practitioner.

Dear Mr (name omitted to avoid Chinese consulate's harassment):

The City of Azusa is disturbed by media and official reports of repression against the Falun Gong movement by the Chinese government.

In the past, the United States government has conveyed strong concern to the Chinese government about their crackdown on the Falun Gong. We join in calling on China to respect freedom of thought, conscience and religion, to allow all persons to practice their religious faiths freely, and to end the cycle of repression on the Falun Gong.

In particular, we call on China to release from the so-called "re-education through labor camps" practitioners of Falun Gong and others held for exercising their fundamental human rights. We also call on China, on an urgent basis, to allow unrestricted visits to these camps by the International Red Cross and other impartial international bodies to look into the treatment prisoners receive.

Particularly because of our deep respect for the Chinese people and our desire to improve trade and bilateral relations between our two nations, we hope you understand the spirit of our plea. We hope one day to establish a "sister city" relationship with a community in China. No nation is perfect, but all nations must abide by international standards of human rights.

Sincerely

(Signature)

Christina Cruz-Madrid

Mayor