(Minghui.org) With tremendous courage, Falun Gong's peaceful resistance has awakened countless people all over the world to the brutal persecution that the Chinese Communist Party initiated on July 20, 1999.
In the past week, Europeans, from politicians to average people, were reminded that Falun Gong practitioners have now resisted the persecution for 17 years.
England
In England, signatures on a petition protesting the persecution were collected in front of the Parliament Building from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 20. Locals and tourists from all over the world gave their signatures.
Twenty Parliament Members sent letters of support, and several came to the event. In their letters, MPs Brian Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate OBE, Ian Murray, and Daniel Zeichner strongly condemned the state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in China, and called for help from the international community to stop it.
People sign the petition supporting Falun Gong's peaceful resistance in front of the British Parliament Building.
Sir Ian Hart, a famous British actor, praised practitioners for doing a good job.
Jacob from Turkey signed the petition. He liked the hand-made lotus flower Falun Gong practitioners gave him.
A Bulgarian gentleman didn't hesitate to sign the petition.
Danish teacher Jetty was shocked to learn about forced live organ harvesting.
Ali from India thought that forced organ harvesting was an act of terrorism.
Denmark
Practitioners in Denmark held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese embassy in Copenhagen on July 20 in memory of those who were tortured to death. They asked the Chinese government to release all imprisoned practitioners.
Candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese embassy in Copenhagen
Ms. Zhu, a Falun Gong representative, briefly reviewed the persecution and called for help to bring it to an end.
Ms. Bao told embassy officials that she was arrested and imprisoned for three and a half years because of her belief in Falun Gong.
Ms. Wei Zaiqun asked the Chinese government to release her sisters Wei Ziahui and Wei Zaixiu, who have been detained for 14 months.
Ms. Wei Zaiqun told embassy officials that 20 police officers in Chengdu broke into her house on May 27, 2015. They searched it; took the Falun Gong materials, computers, and cash; and arrested her sisters.
Her sisters were badly beaten in the detention center. Her mother had a heart attack due to the shock, and her sister-in-law is being watched closely by the local police. Her sisters have now been detained for 14 months. She asked the government to release them.
Sweden
In Sweden, practitioners held banners in front of the Chinese embassy on the morning of July 20, calling for an end to the persecution, and for those responsible to be brought to justice. In the afternoon, they moved to Mynttorget Square, a famous tourist destination in Stockholm, to demonstrate the exercises, re-enact forced organ harvesting, and collect signatures.
The rally in front of the Chinese embassy in Stockholm
Re-enacting forced organ harvesting on Mynttorget Square. The banner reads: “In the face of forced organ harvesting, are you going to keep silent?”
Many people signed the petition condemning the persecution and supporting Falun Gong practitioners.
Spain
A similar rally was held in front of the Chinese embassy in Madrid, Spain, on July 20.
Carlos Iglesias, the lawyer who helped practitioners in Spain file lawsuits against Jiang Zemin, the former communist leader, for his role in the persecution, spoke at the rally. He pointed out that the persecution not only broke Chinese laws but also international laws.
Iglesias believes that Jiang Zemin will be put on trial soon. He called on Chinese government officials who have gone along with Jiang's policies of persecution to see the writing on the wall and stop carrying it out.
The rally in front of the Chinese embassy in Madrid, Spain
Handing out fliers to passerby
Signing the petition to support Falun Gong
Austria
In Vienna, Austria, practitioners held a protest in front of the Chinese embassy in the morning and then moved to Stephansdom, a famous tourist spot, in the afternoon to raise awareness of the persecution.
The protest in front of the Chinese embassy in Vienna, Austria
At Stephansdom people sign the petition to support practitioners.
Ulrich, a local teacher, was saddened to learn about the persecution. He wanted to tell more people about it and help to stop it.
Saghar, a college student from Iran, was shocked to learn about forced organ harvesting and how else practitioners have been tortured. She wanted to tell more people about it through social media.
Alfons, a local college student, could not believe what he saw. “The persecution must stop now,” he said. He said he would post what he’d learned on social media for more people to see.
Hermine, a bodybuilding race champion, was glad to find Falun Gong in 2010. “Falun Gong gave me the answers to questions that had bothered me for many years,” she said. “It is my responsibility to help practitioners who have been persecuted in China.”
Slovakia
In Bratislava, Slovakia, local practitioners and those from Czech held a signature collection downtown on July 19.
People sign the petition and support the peaceful resistance.
Practitioners also demonstrated the exercises. Tourists from Spain, Italy, and Austria, as well as local residents, signed the petition.
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Category: July 20 Events
