(Clearwisdom.net) On July 18, 2009, UK Falun Gong practitioners staged a group exercise demonstration in front of the Chinese Embassy in London to commemorate fellow practitioners who had been killed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the persecution. Afterwards, they marched through downtown London and Chinatown to raise awareness of the CCP's evil nature and its atrocities, calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong and ending the calamity that had destroyed the moral and spiritual values of the entire Chinese society.
London resident Jo, in red, signed the petition form and said, "Everybody in the world needs Truth-Compassion-Forbearance"
The march began in front of the Chinese Embassy
Practitioners march through Chinatown
Mourning more than 3,000 practitioners who have lost their lives in the persecution
Falun Gong practitioners at St. Martin's Square
At 1:00 p.m. the march started in front of the Chinese Embassy. Large banners reading "Falun Dafa Is Good" and "The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance"led the procession, followed by dozens of female practitioners in white. Photos of the deceased in hand, they marched solemnly. Finally, scores of practitioners held banners and signs in Chinese and English, such as "Stop Persecuting Falun Gong," "Dissolve the CCP. Stop the Persecution," "Support 5,700 Chinese Quitting the Evil CCP," "Heaven Will Eliminate the CCP." "Gods Protect China." etc. Practitioners also distributed truth-clarification leaflets to the crowd along the way, calling upon people to pay attention to the persecution and to help stop the 10-year long tragedy.
Lasting over two hours, the march followed downtown London's busiest shopping avenue, Regent Street, into Chinatown, and ended at St. Martin's Square next to the National Gallery. The route was packed with people, and many stopped to watch. Some took out cameras and mobile phones to take pictures. Quite a few focused on the writings on the banners. Many read carefully the leaflets handed out to them.
When the group arrived at St. Martin's Square, practitioners laid out truth-clarification exhibits, demonstrated the exercises, distributed informational leaflets and newspaper in Chinese and English, and collected signatures to demand an international investigation into the CCP's atrocities of organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners and to stop the persecution.
When practitioners demonstrated the exercises, people were attracted by the peaceful and harmonious energy field, and crowds gathered. Many who were rushing by stopped in their tracks to take in the heart-purifying, serene energy field. Quite a few signed the petition form to support Falun Gong.
An elderly gentleman, John, spent an hour and didn't want to leave. Having read the exhibits, he signed the petition form. He commented, "Falun Gong practitioners have the right to practice and to their beliefs. The persecution is evil. The CCP is evil. One day, the CCP will know that it cannot get away with everything. It will be overturned." He said that he saw Falun Gong practitioners in the London New Year's march and enjoyed their performance.
Two suitcases in hand, Ms. Benedale and her son stopped while hurrying by. Having signed the petition form, Ms. Benedale said, "What is happening in China is terrible. I have also heard about other groups being persecuted (by the CCP) in China. (Falun Gong practitioners) Putting out truth information and telling people what is happening in China is well done."
Londoner Jo said that she could not understand why the CCP would persecute Falun Gong. She said, "Everybody in the world needs Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. People should have freedom of belief. It is very wrong for the CCP to persecute Falun Gong."
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, have been undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 110 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.
On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Since the start of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.
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