UK Member of European Parliament John Bowis signed a petition on the 30th of May 2004, calling on the French authorities to retain liberty in France after he heard from a Falun Gong practitioner in his London constituency about how she was arrested at a Chinese/French joint-sponsored event after the Chinese authorities applied pressure on France. Mr Bowis MEP said in his letter “I was very sorry to hear of your totally unacceptable treatment in Paris. I will write to the British Minister responsible for Europe and to the Commissioner responsible for Foreign Affairs and will let you know what response I receive.”