Dunne appeals for Falun Gong

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne today appealed to the organiser of
Auckland’s Santa parade to allow the Chinese religious group, Falun Gong,
to take part in the parade next Sunday.

Mr Dunne has urged the organiser, Michael Barnett, to reconsider his ban on
Falun Gong because, Mr Dunne says, they participated in Wellington’s parade
last weekend without incident and added colour and excitement to the
occasion.

Mr Dunne suggested the ban politicised the parade and showed the wishes of
Beijng were more important in deciding who participates in the event that
the wishes of local people.

Email to Mr Barnett follows:

Dear Michael,

I am writing to urge your reconsideration of the decision not to allow
Falun Gong representatives to participate in this Sunday's Auckland Santa
Parade.

Falun Gong representatives participated without incident in the Wellington
parade last weekend, adding to the colour and excitement of the occasion. I
have no doubt they would do likewise in the Auckland parade.

A Santa Parade is not a political occasion, and Falun Gong have shown they
respect that. Ironically, by not allowing their participation, you in
effect politicise the occasion and leave the impression that the wishes of
Beijing are more important in deciding who participates in this event, than
the views of local people.

I urge you to reconsider this decision.

Ends

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