FALUN Gong practitioners on Saipan have been barred from displaying their banners and performing their ritual physical exercises, Marianas Variety learned on March 12.

Xiaoping Chen, a member of the Falun Dafa Association of Saipan, said the Department of Public Lands stopped them from assembling on Banzai Cliff in Marpi.

Chen said DPL Secretary John S. Del Rosario Jr. rejected their group's request to use a portion of public land for displaying Falun Dafa posters, banners, booklets and handouts.

"We've been doing our exercises on Banzai Cliff for many years," Chen said.

But DPL said the government has no record that Falun Dafa has been allowed to use any portion of public land on Banzai Cliff.

In a Feb. 11, 2009 letter, Del Rosario said a recent site inspection conducted by DPL's compliance staff revealed that the group was displaying two banners on their vehicles in the area.

DPL gave the group 30 days to remove all their structures and personal properties on Banzai Cliff.

"You must promptly remove and properly dispose of all trash and other waste debris presently on the public land," Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario said legal action will be taken against the group if it fails to comply with the order.

Yesterday, Chen said they will again ask DPL for a permit to temporarily use some portion of the public land on Banzai Cliff for their activities.

Mark B. Hanson, lawyer for the Falun Dafa Association of Saipan, said if DPL again rejects the request then he will find a legal recourse to address the problem.

In previous years, the Marianas Visitors Authority also tried to restrict the group from assembling at the Garapan street market.

(Facts.org.cn, March 13, 2009)