Bylaw fight blurs true message of Falun Gong

Local Falun Gong practitioners are taking to B.C.’s Supreme Court to challenge a revised city bylaw that sets restrictions to political protests in public spaces.

Spokeswoman Sue Zhang addressed media Thursday, saying the real issue of Falun Gong persecution in China has been lost, replaced instead by interest over the bylaw fight. The contentious bylaw was revised in April after B.C.’s Court of Appeal ruled restricting structures on public space was unconstitutional.

Now, political protestors need a permit and are required to trim the size of signs and structures, and take them down by 8 p.m.

Zhang said local politicians have been “pressured” by Chinese officials to ignore protestors’ rights. “Restricting the size of the board structure … has thoroughly disabled our freedom of expression.”

Read more at 24 Hours Vancouver, By MICHAEL MUI