(Minghui.org) A 67-year-old man in Huadian City was sentenced to 10 years in prison after giving a chicken vendor some change.

Mr. Wu Zhongtang was given such a heavy sentence because the bills of small denomination he gave out bore messages about Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Mr. Wu credits Falun Gong for curing him of his severe heart problem. He once said, “I’m a dying man but was given a second life by Falun Gong. How can I stop such a good practice?” As such, he has never shied away from telling people that the persecution is wrong. This simple act has landed him in police custody on multiple occasions.

He was given one year of forced labor in 2000 and detained at a brainwashing center in 2002. To avoid further arrests, he lived away from home for some time.

He went to a local fair to do some business on August 16, 2016. Always eager to help those in need, he offered to give some change to a chicken vendor who needed some smaller bills.

The police came out of nowhere and seized Mr. Wu. The 20,000 yuan in cash that he carried with him for business use was also confiscated.

Mr. Wu was tried four months later and given 10 years.

Mr. Wu is well known among locals for saving a suicidal woman. He talked her out of jumping into a river and sent her home safe and sound.