(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners from Europe gathered in Berlin on July 30, 2016 for a grand march through the downtown area. The event was held to raise awareness about the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 17-year persecution of Falun Gong and to gather support to help bring about its end.

Below, four European practitioners share their reasons for participating in the march.

The Tianguo Marching Band leads the march of Falun Gong practitioners in Berlin, Germany on July 30, 2016.

Sven from Sweden: It Is Imperative to Let People Know the Brutality of the Persecution

Practitioner Sven from Gothenburg, Sweden

Sven from Gothenburg, Sweden started his journey on the afternoon on July 29 and arrived in Berlin the next morning. He shared, “Falun Gong practitioners in China face imprisonment and killing at every moment. This trip for me to participate in such an important event is really not long at all.”

Sven started practicing Falun Gong in 1995. He has tried to take part in all large Falun Gong protest events in Europe since 1999, when the CCP initiated the persecution. He said, “It is imperative to let people know the brutality of the persecution. I have spent lots of my vacation time on this. I have come to Berlin several times.”

Sven said that in Falun Gong he found the meaning of life, which he had sought for a long time. Practicing Falun Gong has benefited his health. Now in his 50s, he appears to healthier than he was in 30s. He felt no fatigue after walking for a whole day.

Sven shared some of his reasons for practicing Falun Gong. “Following Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to improve myself and rid of bad habits is key,” he said. “For me, it is hard to be tolerant. I was hot-tempered. Now I can control myself, but I still need more improvement.”

Sven said that he benefits so much from this practice of mind and body that he cannot keep silent about the persecution in China.

Younger Sister Calls for Release of Elder Sister Imprisoned in China

Practitioner Ma from Finland is a member of the Tianguo Marching Band.

The Tianguo Marching Band, composed of more than 80 Falun Gong practitioners from over 10 countries, also took part in the Berlin march. Ma from Finland is one of the musicians in the band. She plays snare.

“My elder sister was arrested in Dalian, Liaoning Province for practicing Falun Gong a few months ago,” said Ma. “I worry about her. She has been sent to the emergency room twice within two months. I don't know her current situation.”

Ma traveled to Germany from Finland to participate in the march, “to let more people know the grace of Falun Gong and the brutality of the CCP's persecution.”

A German Practitioner: The Persecution of Falun Gong Damages Morality

In the July 30 march, practitioner Ms. Wang (middle) and her daughter (to her left), dressed in white, hold portraits of fellow practitioners who lost their lives in the persecution.

Ms. Wang traveled to Berlin from Regensburg, nearly 250 miles south of Berlin. She and more than twenty other practitioners carried portraits of fellow practitioners who lost their lives in the persecution.

“I feel sorrow as so many practitioners were tortured to death,” she said. “This march is necessary to let more people know what is happening and help stop the persecution. The persecution of Falun Gong damages morality. It must be stopped as soon as possible.”

Wife Seeks Truth of Husband's Mysterious Death

Practitioner Chu Qing is a member of the Tianguo Marching Band.

Practitioner Chu Qing, who lives in Berlin, is originally from Shandong, China. She is a member of the Tianguo Marching Band and plays snare with Ms. Ma. The persecution of Falun Gong has directly affected her. Her husband Tian Shichen died mysteriously after his work unit detained him for a few hours.

Mr. Tian was an employee of Futian Auto Trade Limited Inc. in Beijing. He was born in 1981 and started practicing Falun Gong in 2010. He told his friends about the persecution in Chinatown when he worked in Nigeria. The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria monitored him and CCP agents investigated him. Mr. Tian was taken to the Futian company from the airport as soon as he arrived in Beijing at the end of December 2011.

He was detained for four hours and was pressured to resign. He was told to leave Beijing within 24 hours. He showed symptoms of jaundice after getting home and suddenly died 16 days later. His bones appeared pinkish after his body was cremated. Some people suspect that he was poisoned.

Ms. Chu was able to get to Germany after her husband died, after overcoming many difficulties. She hopes that the persecution will end, and that the cause of her husband's death will be discovered.