Greater Victoria Falun Gong practitioners Charmaine Millott and Bob Pratt protest on the grounds of the legislature.

August 23, 2006

Gruesome photos of people scarred, bloody and missing appendages attracted lots of sidelong glances from pedestrians on the legislature lawns, but failed to draw much attention from local politicians.

Greater Victoria Falun Gong practitioners held placards denouncing the Chinese government for allegedly harvesting organs from fellow practitioners in China.

The members were participating in the SOS National Car Tour, an awareness campaign urging local municipal, provincial and federal politicians to condemn China's human rights practices.

Campaigners say a report penned by ex-Liberal MP David Kilgour and human rights lawyer David Matas lends veracity to their allegations.

The report backs up Falun Gong allegations that China is persecuting the religious practitioners and harvesting their hearts, kidneys and livers for sale in hospitals. Matas calls this practice a new form of evil on the planet.

"It's amazing. Before the report we couldn't get it into the mainstream media," said Falun Gong practitioner Joan Quain.

The Saanich resident got involved in Falun Gong four years ago to help her deal with health problems. Since then, she's become active in the local [group].

A few Victoria members will be traveling with the SOS National Car Tour as it makes its way up Island. They will be stopping and talking with local councils, MLAs and MPs.

A presentation to politicians and councils in the Greater Victoria region will be made next week.

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