“Our own humanity demands that we condemn these
crimes against humanity.” — Members of Illinois State General Assembly
80 Illinois State lawmakers
signed a letter to members of congress, urging them to support
a U.S. class-action lawsuit against former Chinese leader
Jiang Zemin, responsible for launching the persecution of
Falun Gong (read
letter).
CHICAGO
(FDI) – In a joint letter to Illinois Members of Congress, 80 Illinois state
representatives urged their federal counter-parts to “vigorously support” the
class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Illinois against former
Chinese leader, Jiang Zemin.
“The attempt
by a brutal tyrant through brainwashing, torture, rape and murder to compel
tens of millions of his own peaceful people to give up their beliefs is disgusting,”
wrote the Illinois state lawmakers. “Our own humanity demands that we condemn
these crimes against humanity.”
In
July 1999, Jiang Zemin – who was head of the Chinese Communist Party at the
time – launched the persecution of Falun Gong, targeting the 70 – 100 million
people who, according to a Chinese government survey, were practicing Falun
Gong. In the past four years, thousands have been killed from torture and abuse
in police custody, and well over 100,000
have been sent to forced labor camps for their beliefs. (special
report)
On
October 18, 2002, individual plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S.
District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, against Jiang Zemin and
the Falun Gong Control “6-10” Office – an office established by Jiang in 1999
with authority over all levels of the Community Party and the government for
the purpose of “eradicating” Falun Gong. Human rights advocates have called
the “6-10” Office a Gestapo-like agency.
“Certain
crimes in their enormity demand that all decent people speak out,” wrote the
Illinois lawmakers. “The lawsuit…holds Jiang Zemin and the Falun Gong Control
Office accountable for their crimes. We must all hold Jiang Zemin accountable,
and we may do so through support of this lawsuit.”
The
letter also addressed many of the illicit activities carried out by Chinese
consular officials in the United States, which target American practitioners
of Falun Gong.
“Here in
Illinois we have experienced a pattern of actions directed at Falun Gong practitioners
whose only purpose could be intimidating these individuals and interfering with
their lawful and peaceful activities,” wrote the Illinois lawmakers. “We cannot
allow any foreign government to presume to determine how Americans will exercise
their constitutional rights.”
The
letter is co-sponsored by Arthur L. Turner, the Deputy Majority Leader representing
the 9th District and Mike Boland, a representative from the 71st District. The
letter dated May 29th was co-signed by 78 other members of the Illinois State
Assembly and delivered to members of Congress on June 3rd.
Posting date: 6/June/2003
Original article date: 6/June/2003
Category: World News
