A thank you

Re: The long arm of China, Tom Blackwell, Jan. 6.

Thank you for your article “The long arm of China”. This is something Canadians need to know but have trouble comprehending.

There are Westerners practising Falun Gong here in Canada and they too are being persecuted, not as severely, of course, because they have no relatives in China, but they are still subject to threats and intimidation.

I am an active practitioner who has been part of a vigil in front of the Chinese Embassy for fifteen years. You can drop by and see us any Wednesday from 10: 55 a. m. to 1: 10 p. m. I have also been threatened and harassed.

I’ ll give you just one example: Two of us Western practitioners had set up a banner in front of the Human Rights Monument on Elgin Street, Ottawa. It was lunchtime and the street was busy with people on their lunch break. A group had gathered in front of our banner and were asking questions. As I was talking to a young man a Chinese man sidled up to me and said quietly in my ear, “We’re watching you!” then he quickly disappeared in the crowd.

I was born in Canada, have lived my life here and am a senior citizen. It never occurred to me that because I practise a righteous discipline I could be harassed in my own country. Nor did it ever occur to me that I would ever see our Canadian government officials kowtowing to the Chinese Communist Party. Kathy Gillis, Nepean, Ont.