(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in Bavaria, Germany, held a signature collection drive at a local farmer's market in the city of Cham on the first weekend of November. The purpose was to draw attention to the recent lawsuits against former Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin for his role in launching and directing the 16-year persecution of Falun Gong.

After a local newspaper carried an announcement of the signature campaign, many residents came out to express their support. Among the supporters was Karin Bucher, the mayor of Cham.

Many people told practitioners that they had heard about the persecution and the lawsuits in the mainstream media, and were glad to have an opportunity to sign the petition. Several people had signed another petition a few years ago to condemn the Chinese state-sanctioned organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience.

“It is really sad that the persecution is still going on,” said a young man to his girlfriend. He has been a long-term supporter of Falun Gong, and encouraged his girlfriend to sign the petition.

One gentleman didn't want to sign the petition at first, but later on, he was moved by the peacefulness of the practitioners' exercises and was pleased to add his name.