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Monday, May 14, 2007

Falun Gong wants its day in court

Irwin Loy is right, by all means Falun Gong want to present their strong case in court.

24 HOURS - Falun Gong protesters in Vancouver want to fight their pending bylaw battle with the city in court.

After the city filed a petition last summer trying to force protesters to remove their colourful placards from in front of the Chinese consulate on Granville Street, the issue is still snaking its way through the court system.

Practitioner Sue Zhang said she wants a full trial in court to argue the case for Falun Gong followers, who say they face death and torture in China.

"This case is not just a bylaw issue. It involves constitutional rights," said practitioner Sue Zhang. "This is not something like people putting out ... signs in front of their businesses."

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan said last year the ongoing protest, which has now lasted more than 2,000 days, violates city bylaws.

A report from former Liberal MP David Kilgour and human rights lawyer David Matas last year concluded reports the Chinese government killed and harvested organs from Falun Gong practitioners were likely true.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa has repeatedly rejected the accusations. Its latest denial in mid-April said the Kilgour report was based on "rumours and false allegations."

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