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UK: Practitioners Raise Awareness about Falun Gong on International Human Rights Day in Central London (Photos)

Dec. 20, 2009 |   By Sherry

(Clearwisdom.net) On the December 10, 2009, International Human Rights Day, Falun Gong practitioners in the UK held a parade and a rally at the North Terrace on Trafalgar Square in downtown London. They called attention to the human rights situation in China, including the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) atrocity of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners. They also called on people to help stop the CCP persecution of Falun Gong.

Passersby read the display boards

At noon, Trafalgar Square was filled with people. Practitioners set up a photo display introducing the worldwide spread of Falun Dafa and detailing the CCP persecution in China. They held several banners reading "The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," etc.; distributed fliers to passersby; and collected signatures of support. Many people stopped to view the display, read the flier,s and sign the petition.

Marian Jones (in purple) signed the petition in support of Falun Gong practitioners

Marian Jones, who teaches science in a secondary school, said, "I had never heard about the CCP's live organ harvesting. I am really shocked. It's dreadful! I hope the British Government can do something to stop it." She then signed the petition.

At 2:00 p.m., the practitioners held a press conference on the Square. Speeches were given by, among others, Mr. Edward McMillan-Scott, the Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament; Mr. David Kilgour, former Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) for Canada; and Mr. John Dee, Chairman of European Friends of Falun Gong. Ms. Glenda Jackson, MP, and Mr. Brian Coleman, the Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet and member of the London City Council, sent letters of support.

Mr. Edward McMillan-Scott, the Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament, spoke at the press conference

Mr. Edward McMillan-Scott, the Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament, said in his speech that several Falun Gong practitioners who were in contact with him when he visited China in 2006 and lawyer Mr. Gao Zhisheng are all now imprisoned by the CCP and are being tortured under the regime's orders. He said that there are about five to seven million people detained in forced labor camps in China and that torture in these places is rampant.

Mr. Edward McMillan-Scott also said that he welcomes the decision made by the Spanish National Court to indict the five high-level Chinese officials, including Jiang Zemin.

Mr. David Kilgour gave a speech at the press conference

Mr. David Kilgour said that he hoped that the UK Parliament would establish a Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong. He encouraged audience members to talk to their MPs on the issue.

Ms. Glenda Jackson, MP, said in her letter, "Again, I express my sincere greetings to Falun Gong practitioners and those people who are in support of Falun Gong for their tireless, encouraging, and peaceful effort for China's human rights."

Mr. Brian Coleman, Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet and member of the London City Council, said in his letter that he urged the CCP regime to release all prisoners of conscience in China and to comply with the UN Human Rights Declaration. He also urged the CCP regime to stop the persecution of the Falun Gong and to abandon the labor camp system.

Falun Gong practitioners marched from Trafalgar Square to the Chinese Embassy

After the press conference, practitioners holding banners marched from Trafalgar Square through the busy shopping district and on to the Chinese Embassy. They then held a candlelight vigil in front of the embassy.