By Kenneth Todd Ruiz
Published: July 16
PASADENA: Maxine Russell had her son’s body exhumed and brought to La Canada Flintridge to confirm her belief that Chinese authorities had covered up his murder in Guangzhou province two years ago.
On Monday night, Russell was among a number of individuals and organizations, including Amnesty International and Reporters without Borders, calling for Pasadena to scrutinize its relationship with China after it was announced in May a Chinese Olympic float would be included in next year’s Rose Parade.
“We should do anything in reason not to let the Rose Parade be associated with the Olympics of shame,” said John Li, Pasadena resident and member of Falun Gong, a spiritual group that has faced persecution in China.
Falun Gong members have brought their grievances and grief to recent council meetings, asking for help locating family members and loved ones believed detained in China for practicing the religion banned in 1999 for being an “evil cult.”
Apparently Falun Gong members were not the only ones to object to China’s participation in the iconic American event that is the parade.
Representatives from Tibetan, Christian, free speech and civil liberties organizations described a broad array of abuses perpetuated by the Communist government and said China has failed to make good on its Olympic promise to improve its record.
They asked the council to call on China to clean up its act, much as local officials, including members of the council, who have felt direct pressure from Chinese authorities in the past.
Councilman Steve Madison and Mayor Bill Bogaard were quick to point out that Pasadena has no veto power in Parade participants.
“They are not only independent but very well organized and in control of the parade,” said Mayor Bill Bogaard.
Bill Flinn, chief operating officer of the Tournament of Roses, said earlier this month the city, which holds a Sister City relationship with Beijing’s Xicheng District, played a significant role in bringing China into the parade.
Falun Gong member Shizhong Chen, who also cofounded The Conscience Foundation, was one of several to assert the parade has been a public relations coup for the Beijing government.
“The Rose Parade is being used by the regime as a political stunt, a propaganda tool,” he said, claiming that Pasadena is being duped into burnishing a horrible and worsening rights record for China.
Chen and Li met last week with parade officials, where they suggested the inclusion of a Falun Gong-affiliated marching band as a compromise position, much like that reached 15 years ago when Native American groups were angered by a descendant of Christopher Columbus serving as grand marshal.
All those present to address the council on the issue were not called upon to speak until the second round of public comment at the end of Monday’s meeting.
Instead of relegating the matter to informal public comment, Tseten Phanucharas of Los Angeles Friends of Tibet said Pasadena should hold a public hearing on the matter.
todd.ruiz@sgvn.com
