SOS! Urgent: Rescue the Falun Gong Practitioners Persecuted in China -- City of Shijiazhuang (V)

Speeches made by the Council members of Edison during the passing the "Resolution supporting Falun Gong Members, and condemning the harsh, brutal and repressive practices of the Chinese Government" (continued)

(4) Speech by Councilman William Kruczak:

"We live in a great county of the United States of America...I believe in what everybody else should believe in. Often people turn their heads if something happens, It doesn't matter you are Asian, American Indian, Ukrainian, Italian, Polish, Jewish, Yugoslavian, or whatever, oriental, black, white, yellow, it doesn't matter, you cut your fingers, you bleed red. Nobody has the right to trample on another person. When you go home today, if you see something happening, don't turn your back on somebody who seems handicapped. We believe this could help [Note: speaking of the passed resolution]. Did this Country make mistakes in the past? Yes, it doesn't mean we have to make them now. But when you cut your fingers, we all bleed red. I'd like to read the records of what the State Department wrote about Falun Gong."

(U.S. Department of State Press Statement Regarding Falun Gong in China

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2001/index.cfm?docid=3975)

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(5)Speech by Councilwoman Joan Kapitan:

"Our country is made up of many different kinds of people. And growing up here, most of us find that there is danger when one group is affected, and if that continues just as one of our speakers did, it goes on and on, and another group is affected and soon all of the groups will be affected. We can't ignore; we can't be complacent; because atrocities will snowball. That's why I'm in favor of this resolution."

(6) Speech by Councilman Peter Barnes:

"As discussed on Monday almost any time you pick up and read about things going on in China. Last month or so there was an article written about the Falun Gong movement.

"As I mentioned on Monday, in China, the Falun Gong movement has been actually outlawed, they passed the laws to outlaw these peaceful people. In the article I read last week said they are considering a law in Hong Kong, the last message was a little bit of freedom left. Their movement even in Hong Kong started to limit freedom of religion and freedom of expression. When you think about it, not much has really been asked of us. We are not doing any 'heavy lifting' here; we are asked to support the resolution against human rights violations that are abused. That doesn't seem to be such a hard thing to do.

"I think if every municipality in the country sent this type of resolution to China that would have, through public opinions, may be would have some kind of influence.

"There is no question the first speaker mentioned that in our own country we do have an unfortunate history of some human rights violations and there is no question about it. Just because our own country has failed in the past that doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to do what we can now or in the future. So I think I'm very glad to help sponsor this resolution. It's not too much to ask. We are happy that some of our own citizens in this country are thoughtful and aggressive enough to bring this resolution up here so that we can vote on it. I think it's very admirable on the part of the people in the group to do that. So I will certainly support this resolution tonight."

(7) Speech by Council President Anthony Massaro:

"First speaker on our resolutions talked about reasons why we shouldn't support this resolution, and she sited historical situations and current situations, and that philosophy is certainly a legitimate philosophy you just simply go back to look at our history books and review our own life time on our planet and you will see there are many reputable people who will tell you we should take care of what's within our borders first only before looking at anywhere else. And I don't mean to denigrate that position.

"However, the second speaker, Gregory, well, he is my neighbor, literary because he lives a couple of houses down from me, and figuratively because we both share the same planet and if he is my neighbor, I think certain things naturally have to follow. Sure what we are doing here tonight is certainly symbolic, but if enough people put forth symbolic efforts as has been pointed out, maybe we will get results, maybe we won't, but at least we will be able to look in the mirror and say we did what was have asked of us. Therefore it's the plan, of me as an individual, to continue to work with Gregory, my neighbor, and get the Council or the State Department of the United States government to be involved to see what further can be done, if anything, and if its result brought those discussions, our sister status with that Chinese city is brought into question, and brought into jeopardy, and then so be it, because that is the price of doing what is right. But we only take that action or it is my advice we will only take that action after we get advice of the State Department because that is the only level of government, which has the authority to affect change in international relations.

"However, while that is going on, as every other council member has said here, it's time to stand up, do what is right, and stand up to be counted. And Gregory I thank you for bringing this to our attention continually."