The Beijing Olympic Float will participate in the Pasadena, California New Year's day Rose Parade. The organizers will not permit human rights groups to protest the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) participation on the day of the parade. Chinese democracy activist Wei Jingsheng, Amnesty International's Pasadena branch, and a representative from CalTech's Falun Gong Club jointly held a press conference today to express their protest to City of Pasadena government.

The press conference was held at 12:00 noon at Pasadena's Sheraton hotel. Wei Jingsheng was first to denounce City of Pasadena government's recent forceful decision to veto of the Rose Parade Committee's previous decision to provide human rights groups with a place for hosting human right activities.

He said, "As a local government in a democratic country, how can they invite the government of tyrannical rulers to submit a float for the Rose Parade, and yet deny the victims of that tyranny the dignity of an opportunity to speak out?"

For this reason, Amnesty International's Pasadena branch, CalTech's Falun Gong group, L.A. Friends of Tibet, San Diego Conscience Foundation and other human rights groups still plan to persist in protest and on the morning of New Year's day, which is when the Rose Parade begins, make their way to the site to protest.

The nearly completed float was sponsored by the Beijing Olympics preparation organization, with the money to be provided by a small number of the pro-Chinese Communist people in Southern California. Their goal in attending the Rose Parade on New Year's Day is to use this opportunity to promote the Beijing Olympics.

Wei Jingsheng said, "China's disregard for human rights should be responded to by an international chorus condemning the communist regime and urging rapid improvement of human rights." Not long ago, Wei Jingsheng delivered letters to the International Olympic Committee demanding it face the CCP's persecution of human rights, and use its influence to take possible actions.