PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Visual Artists Guild to join in Pasadena's Doo-Dah Parade  to
      Call for the release of Political Prisoners in Hong Kong & China

WHAT:     Visual Artists Guild's The Great Firewall of China Marching Brigade
WHEN:      Sunday, November 19, 2023
TIME:       10:00 a.m. if you wish to join us and be part of our marching brigade
                   Parade starts at 11 a.m.
WHERE:   Pasadena Doo-Dah Parade
                    Start: Memorial Park, Pasadena                   
                    The LA Metro’s blue “A” line stops right at the parade staging area at Memorial Park Station. Find out details atMetro.net                   
                    See Doo-Dah Parade map below

CONTACT INFORMATION:
            Ann Lau 310-433-0697 or email alau@visual-artists-guild.org
            Please arrive by 10:00 at the parade stage site at Memorial Park if you wish join us and be part of our Marching Brigade
            Please wear black top and dark pants to participate
          
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
            The Great Firewall of China Marching Brigade of Visual Artists Guild will be represented at the Pasadena Doo-Dah Parade on Sunday, November 19, 2023 to bring attention to the deterioting civil and political situation in Hong Kong  and to call for the release of political prisoner in Hong Kong and China.
            In 1997, Hong Kong, a British colony, turn over sovereignty to China under the Sino-British Joint Declaration with the condition that Hong Kong would maintain its autonomy for 50 years under the One country Two Systems.
            In 2020, Beijing imposed the National Security Law on Hong Kong ending Hong Kong's autonomy:
                           Allows Beijing to manage schools, social organizations, media and the internet
                           Suspects may be moved to mainland China for trial
                           Law applies to anyone including outside of Hong Kong
                           Overrides Hong Kong's mini constitution, the Basic Law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights
                           No judicial independence as the Chief Executive has the power to appoint judges in national security cases.

            The parade will call for the release of political prisoners in Hong Kong and China