Vancouver takes Falun Gong protest fight to court

City of Vancouver officials are expected to be in court on Mondayto obtain a courtruling to have a Falun Gong protest site outside the Chinese consulate removed.

The protest site, which includes a small shelter and a large brightly painted plywood sign, was set up in front of the consulate on Granville Street, south of the city's downtown, in 2001.

The cityhas saidthe protesters, who are opposed to China's treatment of members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, aren't allowed to build a permanent structure.

In June 2006 the city told the protesters it wanted the display taken down, but the protesters refused, and the city began legal proceedings.

The city had planned to seek an injunction to shut down the protest before the issue was heard in court, but announced it August it was backing down on that request.