Angry Falun Gong members are meeting in Auckland this afternoon, disappointed at not being allowed to take part in Sunday's Santa Parade. Chairman of the Auckland parade Michael Barnett is refusing to allow them to take part, because the group cannot assure him they will not hand out pamphlets.

Falun Gong spokesman Jay Zelaya says rather than promoting themselves, the group is more interested in entertaining the crowd. He says these parades are for the public, and the public should ultimately decide.

The Chinese spiritual group was allowed to take part in the Wellington parade on Sunday, after it threatened court action. Organisers of Dunedin's Santa Parade say Falun Gong will not be taking part. Organiser Malcolm Dodds says after dishonesty by the group in the 2005 parade, they will not be allowed to participate there this year.

The Falun Gong is considering taking up their plight over the Auckland parade with the Human Rights Commission. Spokeswoman Margot MacVicar says they are a peaceful organisation and are being discriminated against.

(NZCity News, November 22, 2007)

Original text from: http://home.nzcity.co.nzews/article.aspx?id=78903&fm=newsmain,nrhl