Dharm Makwana

Falun Gong practitioners went to Vancouver City Hall Wednesday to file an application to have their protest hut restored outside the Chinese Embassy on Granville Street near West 16th Avenue.

An October B.C. Court of Appeal ruling found a city order to remove the makeshift enclosure and surrounding signs unconstitutional as it violated privileges of political protest and free speech guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"This is the first application for the use of structures to implement political expression," said Clive Ansley, attorney for the spiritual group.

The old structure prominently featured graphic images of alleged victims in the People's Republic of China who were tortured, then had their organs harvested. Falun Gong spokeswoman Sue Zhang said it was possible similar images would again be on display.

The City of Vancouver has six months from the date of the ruling to implement new bylaws that would allow for the construction of the hut.

City streets are already lined with many structures that block pedestrian traffic such as sidewalk cafes, vending stands and sandwich boards.

"Our legal department is working on it," said Coun. Kerry Jang. "For me what's really important is we have honest, open, free protest in the city."