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Hello, and welcome to the weekly FGMtv news review. I'm Susan Mitchell.

§ Here at FGMtv we focus on programs and news that illuminate the truth of Falun Gong, which is also known as Falun Dafa.

§ Falun Dafa is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline that includes exercise and meditation. Its principles are based on Zhen, Shan, Ren - being true, good, and enduring, which is also translated as Truth, Compassion and Tolerance.

§ The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout the country.

§ In 1998, a government survey concluded that the number of practitioners exceeded membership in the communist party.

§ One year later, dictator Jiang Zemin began a brutal persecution that violates not only the Chinese constitution, but also international treaties signed by China.

Our top story this week:

Two lawyers and a Canadian politician speak out in support of lawsuits charging Jiang Zemin with genocide and crimes against humanity.

§ NTDTV recently interviewed Canadian Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stockwell Day, in front of the parliament buildings in Ottawa. When questioned about his thoughts on the lawsuits charging former Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin with genocide and crimes against humanity, he said:

§ [Footage of Stockwell Day, M.P.: "It's important when individual freedoms and human rights are being violated, it's important that we use every means possible to bring that to the attention of the international community. And using this means, of using a judicial means through the court process – that is a legitimate way. Leaders have to take responsibility."]

§ From Ottawa, we move now to the office of Toronto lawyer, Joel Etienne, who deals with immigration law and those who are claiming refugee status in Canada.

§ [Footage of persecution underneath Susan's narrative.] Susan: Falun Gong practitioners in China have suffered tremendously for insisting on continuing to live their lives according to the principles of being true, good, and enduring."

§ [Footage continues with Joel Etienne: "It's a basic principle in law that you can't deliberately, intentionally hurt people for nothing. With power comes responsibilities. And if you don't assume your responsibilities, if you don't protect the people who are vulnerable, then of course they're going to make you responsible for that."]

§ Susan: Last week, we reported that for the first time since the lawsuit against Jiang Zemin was filed in the U.S. District Court of Illinois in Chicago, the official Chinese news media ran the story that a Chinese leader had been charged in a U.S. court. Attorney Terri Marsh, lawyer for the Falun Gong plaintiffs, sums up:

§ [Footage of Terri Marsh: "So I think that this lawsuit has been almost like a wakeup call to the people in China to realize that the rest of the world does not think it's ok to persecute Falun Gong. Everyone has the right to their spiritual beliefs and they're confident to follow their own conscience."]

Moving now to Australia, where,

in mid-September, [Footage begins] hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Malaysia, the United States and across Australia held a large march and rally in downtown Melbourne. They condemed the Jiang regime's persecution against Falun Gong practitioners, and called upon the Australian government and people to show concern and support for the lawsuits filed in several countries.

There were four colorful floats and many costumed participants and banners.

At the rally, Australian Democrat Senator Lyn Allison offered her support and mentioned that Falun Gong practitioners have filed lawsuits with international courts against those who violated human rights.

Practitioners in Melbourne also hosted a major Experience Sharing Conference where at least a dozen people spoke about the things that have happened to them since they began to practice Falun Dafa, and the ways they have been trying to bring an end to the persecution in China.

Canada's Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien will be traveling to China in October, 2003 to meet with leaders there.

Hundreds of Canadian practitioners are converging on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to urge him to bring up the topic of the persecution of Falun Gong during his visit. They want their relatives released, released from illegal imprisonment and torture.

Most of those traveling to Ottawa will arrive by bus and car. However, eight determined practitioners from Toronto are on their way by bicycle. Their journey began in Nathan Phillips Square, in front of Toronto's City Hall. After a brief news conference in the Square, they presented a petition to the Mayor's Assistant, circled the Square a couple of times and then they were on their way, with this music in their hearts and minds – the bike tour theme song. It's called "Stand With Me":

On the other end of the earth,

Lies fill the sky

In the land of my sister's home

Freedom is paid for with life

To stay true, my family will not lower their heads

For this they face violence, torture and jail

I cross mountains and oceans for the love of my family

And fear not the dangerous shoals and crags

Riding day and night with truth in my heart, forever

Honest men please be with me

Your powerful hands can help stop the lies

Kind people please be with me

Your hearts help reunite a family's flesh and blood

Come, come and join me

Let's say goodbye to darkness and welcome in the sun

Come, come and join me

So all families of the world can return to their homes

Thanks for watching the FGMtv weekly news review.

I'm Susan Mitchell. See you next week!