(Minghui.org) Four hundred groups of various cultural backgrounds participated in the German Bridge Festival in Hoerde, Germany on June 21, 2015, attracting more than 10,000 visitors.
Falun Gong was among the many groups to perform at the event. Dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the five sets of meditative exercises on stage.
The host of the event briefly introduced Falun Gong and its principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She told onlookers about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and that merely by unfolding a banner, similar to the one on stage that states “Falun Dafa Is Good,” one would be arrested, beaten, or even tortured.
Some audience members followed along as practitioners performed the exercises, and later expressed interest in taking up the practice.
Practitioners demonstrate Falun Gong exercises at the German Bridge Festival.
People sign petition calling on the Chinese communist regime to end the persecution of Falun Gong.
Festival-goers stopped by the Falun Gong booth to read about the practice and the persecution still going on in China.
They gave a lot of support to two petitions: one calls for an end to the state-sanctioned killing of practitioners for their organs in China, and the other calls for the release of two practitioners imprisoned for their belief.
A young man from Vietnam said that he had come across Falun Gong several times in his travels, and decided to sign in support of practitioners.
Dietz, a German engineer, and his wife not only signed the petitions, but also took some postcards calling for the release of a Falun Gong practitioner, which they plan to mail to China. Dietz encouraged practitioners before he left, “We wish you success!”
One woman commented, “It's too cruel! There's no human rights in China...Chinese lawyers are brave [to defend Falun Gong].”
Many people left encouraging comments:“Everyone should follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”“It's a pity the Chinese regime is destroying such great values just for power!”“We are from Poland. We know the wickedness of the Communist Party.”“Keep up your great work!”