The Sour Sound of Chinese Torture

I live up a block from the Chinese Consulate on St. George Street and when I walk by, rain or shine, Falun Gong practioners are always out there.

On Saturday, they had another cause to demonstrate. Apparently, Rogers Centre endorsed a Chinese New Year concert today put on by the Consulate and China Central Television (CCTV) called, The Same Song -- a Mandarin tune that repeatedly plays in labour camps in China to "break people's spirits," said Joel Chipkar, of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada.

The Falun Dafa Association of Canada is deeply concerned by CCTV's choice of theme and song, and the message sent to the many Falun Gong in communities across North America. "This is meant to strike fear in our hearts" said Cindy Li, a woman whose back was broken from vicious beating in the camps.

" It is taunting us, something like burning crosses by the KKK but only here they're making it look pretty for the public."

Chipkar said Rogers didn't get back to them, but should obviously be concerned what they're condoning.

"This concert should not be allowed to play here and those who attend will be condoning this event and unknowingly condoning China's human rights abuses," he said.

UPDATED: Jan. 16 @ 3:56 p.m. More added below:

However, the Chinese Consulate says the concert is called the Same Song because it's numerous Chinese popstars together onstage. Says consulate spokesperson Yan Sun, "It's an entertainment program. The consulate offers assistance to get the popstars to Toronto to perform."

Rogers Centre would not comment on the allegations, but also refuses to "make an attempt to act as a censor for this or any other group that rents our building," according to Paul Godfrey, president of Toronto Blue Jays.

Photo courtesy of: Clear Harmony