(Clearwisdom.net) The Hong Kong Falun Dafa Association held an open forum regarding opposition to Article 23. Hong Kong religious leaders, Democratic Party members, human rights organizations, anti-article 23 groups and politicians were invited. They expressed their opinions on the article 23 legislation. Mr. Cai Yaochang, who represents the Civilian's Human Rights Alliance, expressed his highest respect for Falun Gong practitioners. He also pointed out that the priority is not to let people disobey it if it passes, but to stop article 23 from passing in July in order to be responsible to ourselves and the next generation.

At the beginning, Mr. Cai Yaochang said, "First of all, I'd like to express my personal and very sincere respect to Falun Gong friends who are attendees and those who are not in attendance. You really outdo yourselves and others at working hard and steadfastly, a standard which is very hard to reach for most people in society. Using what we are saying, it is fighting for a belief and there is no regret even for giving up one's life. It is often said something is easier said than done but even when the road is difficult and the risk high including your lives you still carry on. I do admire you very much. I am moved, and all Hong Kong people should really admire your persistence at striving for your belief, especially those practitioners back home [in China]."

Cai Yaochang said, " In 1990, when the Fundamental Law was finalized, many original crimes were expanded into Article 23, and turned into 7 basic crimes, which were not allowed in the previous year. One million Hong Kong people took to the streets to support the democratic movement in Mainland China. Also after 1989, the Support Alliance was not allowed to exist in its current state, nor was any other organization or movement that was considered to negatively impact the stability of Mainland China's authority in Hong Kong.

On September 24^th last year, when Article 23 legislative advisory started, there was a non-government human rights alliance challenge, which was formed by over 40 NGO's. Cai is one of the participating organizing members. He finds that this is something he must do, this is also a very important task in his life. He looks forward to a positive outcome from his efforts.

Cai Yaochang said, " As a matter of fact, the non-government organizations that reacted to this Article 23 legislation have a special feature. These 43 groups came from different fields, including the press, which is rare. The Hong Kong Journalist Association has seldom participated in a non-government organization alliance. In the past, the association thought that the press should deal with their task in an independent and just manner. However, concerning Article 23 legislation, even the forefront journalists agree that it is necessary to stand up and ally with other forces to oppose this article's passage. From this we can tell that article 23 has caused uncertainty and worry for people from many walks of life and social groups.

Cai Yaochang also added that disagreement with Article 23 represents the position of the majority of citizens in Hong Kong. There were 60,000 people in the anti-Article 23 parade, which was the highest participation since 1989. Therefore, Article 23 is absolutely the most important event facing the Hong Kong people since 1989. It not only impacts the freedom and rights of our generation, but that of our children and their children and so on.

Cai Yaochang thinks that the freedom Hong Kong has traditionally had is the reason that many Hong Kong citizens consider living in Hong Kong to be so worthwhile. This is also the last defense that most citizens have. So if a free living environment can't even be maintained, Hong Kong would not be a place that people would consider worthy to live in, therefore, Article 23 concerns all Hong Kong people.

Cai Yaochang emphasizes that people should not consider that they will lose, or Article 23 will certainly pass, then wait for people to disobey it. He believes that those who don't defend hope are those who don't want to take control of today. Therefore, what we can do today is not to let this evil article pass. The hope remains that everyone in every different position could continue passing on this information on in different ways. He certainly hopes that more and more citizens use different means, including parades, and assemblies, to pass it to their friends, and their contacts overseas. Let them pay attention to the current situation in Hong Kong, and stop Article 23 from passing this coming July. This is the responsibility and goal at this historical moment. Hope all of us strive forward together.