Falun Gong practitioners have persistently clarified the truth for more than 12 years, enabling many people to clearly see how the CCP has lied, and many have chosen to support Dafa. This has been evident more and more in the past year, because people are gaining hope.

Attorneys' Righteous Defense of Practitioners' Innocence Stuns the Courts

On December 15, the Fengrun District Court held a hearing, and attorney Zhang Chuanli from the Beijing Jiafa Law Firm pleaded innocent on Mr. Zhang Weizhong's behalf. Chuanli told the court in his opening statement that there was insufficient evidence to make a case and that the facts of the case were unclear. He also said that the charge of “being involved with an organization that knowingly subverts the law” was groundless, and that Mr. Zhang Weizhong's behavior did not violate any criminal statues. He should therefore be found not guilty and be freed immediately.

Attorney Zhang courageously pointed out that making or distributing information related to Falun Gong, whether it is the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party or Shen Yun DVDs, does not violate Chinese law and therefore cannot be considered illegal. He further stated that distributing Falun Gong material is exercising freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of belief, all of which are guaranteed by China's Constitution. These activities related to Falun Gong cannot be considered violating or impeding any laws or even administrative rules or regulations.

“Thought alone does not constitute a crime,” he said. He also pointed out that freedom of belief is a fundamental right practiced by all civilized societies and spelled out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which China agreed to in front of the international community years ago. The 36^th section of the Chinese Constitution stipulates that “Citizens of the People's Republic of China have the freedom of religious belief.” Zhang Weizhong's right to practice Falun Gong, therefore, is guaranteed by the Constitution. No individual or state authority has the right to interfere. Criminal Code section 251 also reads, “If a representative of the state illegally violates a citizen's freedom of religious belief, this crime may be punishable by no more than two years of imprisonment.” The attorney said. “The officials involved in bringing charges against my client are in violation of the Criminal Code and must be brought to trial for these criminal acts.”

In his closing statement, Attorney Zhang said, “The goal of making laws is to secure society's stable development, and laws that conform to this ideal of social justice will inevitably improve society. Making laws for any purpose other than ensuring social justice will, on the other hand, lead to its downfall. A judge must rely on his conscience and sense of right and wrong to deliver the highest form of social justice in deciding a case. Good laws and bad laws can be differentiated only with a human conscience. In this manner, conscience serves as not only the highest legal criterion, but also the final method that must be used to decide a case.”

He continued, “I have been asking myself this question: 'Why is the Chinese Communist Party so fearful of criticism, so afraid of people offering their opinions? Shouldn't the Party, as the leader of our country, engage in introspection and throw out any public policy that is in direct contradiction to its own laws?' A peaceful group like Falun Gong doesn't concern itself with the demands of political life. Its members simply want to be good people and follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They don't violate any laws, and they don't encroach upon others' freedoms or property. Why must our leaders suppress them so harshly? Falun Gong practitioners encounter unfounded slander and persecution, and when put in situations where their freedom of speech is threatened, they have used their own incomes to produce materials that clarify the situation to the Chinese people and expose lies told to them by the state media. In the process, they share the benefits of Falun Gong. What have they done wrong?”

Attorney Zhang Chuanli defended his client admirably. He kindly asked the judges to consider what he said and to make a fair decision following their consciences and to uphold the principles of justice. When he was done, one of the audience members gave him a thumbs up in appreciation. (See “Attorney Defends Zhang Weizhong--Gallery Member Gives Thumbs Up”
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2012/2/24/131676.html)

During another trial, which was held on August 26 in Haicheng City Court, Mr. Han Guangkuan from Zhengda Law Firm in Beijing defended Mr. Tian Baowei. He said that, according to China's Constitution, citizens have the right to freedom of belief. Any rulings that contradict the Constitution are illegal. Attorney Han's defense lasted about half an hour. When he finished speaking, the audience broke out in thunderous applause for his brilliant defense. Mr. Tian also defended his innocence: “The judge can show everyone present the brochures I gave out and let them decide if there is anything wrong with them.”

Ashamed, the judge bent his head so low that the spectators could barely see him. Due to the strong righteous thoughts of practitioners and those who understood the truth, no one interrupted Mr. Tian's defense. The prosecutor's claims were rebutted by Attorney Han, citing the law. Finally, the prosecutor meekly asked the judge to sentence Tian Baowei to 4-5 years in prison. Powerless, the judge announced an inconclusive recess. (See “Mr. Tian Baowei Rightfully Defended During Illegal Trial in Haicheng City Court in Liaoning Province, No Verdict Announced”
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/9/10/127979.html)

According to Minghui/Clearwisdom website statistics, in 2011 at least 76 Falun Gong practitioners died as result of the persecution, and there were at least 7871 practitioner arrests. 581 were sentenced to prison and 1155 were sent to forced labor camp.

Even as practitioners are still being sentenced to prison and the persecution continues, lawyers are being interfered with regularly. They have been threatened with having their licenses suspended, being prevented from viewing files or meeting their clients, and being ignored during trials. Some lawyers have even been brutally beaten and prevented from appearing in court. Still, more and more lawyers do not fear this interference and continue to accept cases for Falun Gong practitioners. In 2011, there were righteous lawyers who defended Falun Gong practitioners in Kaiyuan City (Yunnan Province), Bairin Banner (Inner Mongolia), the cities of Dalian and Jinzhou (Liaoning Province), Huining County (Gansu Province), the cities of Jiujiang and Ruichang (Jiangxi Province), Mudanjiang City (Heilongjiang Province), Linquan County (Anhui Province), and Xuchang City (Henan Province).

Folks Won't Let the Police Arrest Good People

Many people openly stand up to defend Falun Gong practitioners when police appear to arrest them.

On April 8, 2011, Mr. Zhao Xinghe wrote on a street light pole, “Falun Dafa Is Great!” Seven to eight officers beat him brutally, took him home, pheld him down on the floor, and tied his wrists behind him with metal wire. His neighbor came over and tried to stop the officers. She said, “Why are you beating him? He is the most innocent person. I won't allow you to beat him! I watched him grow up—he is not capable of doing any harm.” One officer said, “He practices Falun Gong.” She immediately answered, “What is wrong practicing Falun Gong and being a good person?” (See “Neighbors Protest as Police Brutally Beat Sichuan Practitioner Mr. Zhao Xinghe”
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/9/24/128305.html)

In the morning on May 12, 2011, in Wendeng City, Shandong Province, Huanshanlu Police Station Director Wang Yong and a dozen officers went to Hongyun Carpet Factory to try to arrest the factory director, Tian Shihing, who is a Falun Gong practitioner. The workers all surrounded Mr. Tian and called his wife. She loudly questioned police, “What kind crime is a good person committing by cultivating Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance?” The workers and his family would not let the police take Mr. Tian away, so the police withdrew. (See “Friends, Families and Co-Workers Resist the Arrest, Detention and Brainwashing of Falun Gong Practitioners (Photo)”
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/6/20/126150.html)

Ms. Yang Qian was arrested and taken to a brainwashing center in May 2011. She had been on her way to work in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. On the morning of June 3, 2011, the police tried to arrest her mother and sister at home. Their neighbor, a schoolteacher, came out and yelled at the officers, “Where are you from? Show your ID. Are you still doing that Cultural Revolution stuff now?” The police withdrew in fear. (See “Friends, Families and Co-Workers Resist the Arrest, Detention and Brainwashing of Falun Gong Practitioners (Photo)”
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/6/20/126150.html)

In the early morning on August 25, 2011, eight officials from Yudailu Police Station and Community Administration in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, went to Ms. Gui Qionghua's home, saying they represented the government. They wanted to take her to a brainwashing center. Her neighbor in her 50s stood up for her, saying loudly to those eight officials, “If you harm her, her family will not eat. You had better let her go. You take advantage of the common folks— such a government is a bad government! You deceive people!” More and more people came out and surrounded the police, agreeing these government employees were bad people. Ms. Gui should not go with them, they said. The eight officials had no choice but to leave. (See http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/9/4/246226.html)

On October 10, 2011, police from the Shitan Town Station in Xiangtan County, Hunan Province, went to where Ms. Liu Fangping worked. They wanted to take her to a brainwashing center. Her boss yelled at the officers, “She is my best employee! Each employee has a special position to fill in the factory— you are not allowed to take her away.” After the police showed him the paperwork from the CCP Political and Legal Committee, they put her their vehicle, promising to bring her back in 15 days. The manager told her family, “After she comes back in 15 days, her salary will be paid for whatever days she missed, and she will continue working here.” (See “Ms. Liu Fangping Forcibly Taken to Brainwashing Center”
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/10/26/129005.html)

Support Openly Expressed for Falun Gong by Petition and Appeal

Mr. Zhang Guoxiang is from Chaoyang Prefecture, Liaoning Province, but was doing hard labor in the Jinzhouxin District in Dalian City. He has to take care of his mother, who is in her 80s and blind. He also raises his nephew because both his brother and sister-in-law died. On June 29, 2011, he was arrested in his dorm. Folks in his hometown all signed a petition demanding his release, because they all know he is a kind, sincere person. The village committee even issued a statement with the village seal printed on it. Villagers accompanied his elderly mother to the Jinzhouxin District Domestic Security, asking that the police release him. The police gave back almost all the money they took during the arrest. (See http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/12/5/250181.html)

Petition for Mr. Zhang Guoxiang

Mr. Zhou Xiangyang is an engineer employed by Tianjin City Third Detecting Design Institute. He was arrested in March 2011 and incarcerated in Gangbei Prison, where he was tortured with ground shackles and not allowed any visitors. His mother and wife sued Gangbei Prison for illegal torture and mistreatment. In his hometown, Changli County, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, 2300 folks signed his wife's open letter or wrote their own appeal letter requesting that Mr. Zhou be released and his abusers be punished. Many entire families signed their names. One middle-aged lady said, “If people in our village all practiced Falun Gong, the whole village would have better morals. My entire family all signed our names.” A couple in their 60s said, “We want to sign, because Falun Gong practitioners are all good people, but in the CCP, there are hardly any good people. The CCP lets killesr buy their freedom, but persecutes good people.” (See http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/12/5/250181.html)

Ms. Zheng Hongying, 68, lives in Gengjiapu Village, Nankouqian Town, Qingyuan County, Fushen City, Liaoning Province. She was arrested on September 6, 2011, when she was clarifying the truth in Huangjibumin Group, Wangjiapu Village, Nankouqian Town. Officers punched her in the chest, severely injuring her ribs. On November 18, 2011, Qingyuan County Court held a trial, trying to put her in prison for four years.. Ms. Zheng defended herself, saying she was not guilty. A sympathetic lawyer also defended her innocence. She is appealing the sentencing right now. Her fellow villagers all signed their names to call for her release. (See “Sixty-Eight-Year-Old Ms. Zheng Hongying from Fushun City, Liaoning Province Put on Trial, Villagers Call for Her Release”
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/12/3/129829.html)

The CCP Does Not Dare to Include the Persecution of Falun Gong by the 610 Office in Local History Archives

The editor-in-chief of one county local history archive said in a meeting, “Absolutely do not include anything about the 610 Office or Falun Gong [in the archives], because the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong is being criticized internationally.” Higher authorities returned all drafts that had such content back in for modification. (See “Why Would They Leave Falun Gong Out of Official Historical Records?”
http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2012/2/20/131599.html)

Practitioners have been overcoming the restrictions on information using phones, cellphones, the Internet, mail, radio, and TV to clarify the truth. One police department director asked in a meeting not to put the phone book out on the table or to publicize employee phone numbers, because there were too many Falun Gong practitioners calling. But, in fact, he himself listens to these phone calls often and for a long time. Because they are eager to learn the truth, officers often listen to Falun Gong phone calls. Many government employees actively protect Falun Gong practitioners after learning the truth. Some of them try to make up for the bad things they have done during the persecution by releasing arrested practitioners or notifying them of any planned acts of persecution ahead of time. Some of them found practitioners, asking them to remove their names from the list of evildoers, since they no longer participate in the persecution. To protect these people's safety, Clearwisdom reports usually use pseudonyms to report these, but it is now a common phenomenon in China.

One Domestic Security Division chief of a major city committed many crimes against Falun Gong. Local practitioners clarified truth to him multiple times, helping him learn about Falun Gong. He later released many arrested practitioners and got many local Domestic Security officers to stop doing harm. On March 20, 2011, one county court head judge read the Letter to Predestined People in Judiciary System. He said, “I am guilty. I no longer want to do this job anymore. I will quit tomorrow.”

Government Employees Actively Quit the CCP

People log on to the Dajiyuan website to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. The number that have done this has reached over 1,100,000,000, and each month it increases by 1,200,000. People truly understand the China's true heritage lies in its five thousand years of divine cultural history, while the CCP ghost that came from the west will soon meet its doom.

Many high ranking officials and police have called the Three Withdrawals Hotline overseas to quit. Some have visited practitioners in China to ask for help to withdraw. Many regular folks ask Falun Gong practitioners for amulets(1) to protect their families during these chaotic times. There was an interesting story published on the Minghui website. In the autumn of 2011, a woman over 70 was arrested and taken to the local station when she was clarifying the truth to people. She continued telling whoever she met about Falun Gong and encouraged the officers to quit the CCP for a safe future. The police released her by that evening. As she was going down the stairs, a young officer reached up to her and said, “Ma'am, slow down. Let me hold your arm.” As she walked down slowly, the lady found something in her hand. It was a slip of paper. When she got home and read the paper, it contained two names asking to do the three withdrawals.

Note: (1) Amulets – In China, practitioners sometimes "clarify the truth" by giving people something small to wear or cherish, bearing a few words reminding them of the goodness of Dafa.