(Minghui.org) July 20, 2019, marks the 20th year of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Twenty years earlier, Jiang Zemin, then head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), ordered the violent suppression of Falun Gong practitioners that continues today.
Each year, practitioners around the world hold rallies, parades and candlelight vigils to commemorate those who have died as a result of the persecution.
Falun Gong is a mind-body cultivation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
The Minghui website has confirmed the deaths of over four thousand Falun Gong practitioners due to the persecution over the past 20 years. However, the actual number is likely much higher. In addition, there is concrete evidence that the CCP has harvested organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered on demand to supply China’s organ transplant industry.
Düsseldorf, Germany: Public Express Support for Falun Gong
Falun Gong practitioners in Düsseldorf gathered in front of the old town hall and introduced the ancient spiritual practice to the public on July 20, 2019. They set up large banners and posters with information about the persecution in China. Many people expressed their sympathy and condemned the persecution, and some said they wanted to learn Falun Gong.
Falun Gong practitioners hold events in front of Düsseldorf's old town hall on July 20, 2019.
Passers-by stop to read the information about the persecution.
People learn about Falun Gong and sign a petition to condemn the persecution in China.
Since July 20 was a Saturday, Düsseldorf's old town area was crowded. Many people paused to listen as a practitioner spoke about the CCP’s live organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners and called on the German government to pass legislation to ban organ transplant tourism and condemn these atrocities.
A practitioner introduces Falun Gong and tells people about the CCP’s persecution.
Two women learn the Falun Gong exercises.
Despite the rain, practitioners demonstrate the Falun Gong exercises as part of the day's events.
Dennis signs the petition to condemn the persecution.
Despite the heavy rain, Dennis stopped to talk with practitioners and asked several questions about the persecution. He has worked as a physical therapist for 18 years. “I've worked in several countries. I know that the medical situation in other countries is completely different from Germany. When I saw your banner about live organ harvesting, I immediately believed it,” Dennis explained.
Dennis talked with a practitioner who described how she was tortured by the CCP in China. As he listened, he was moved to tears. He asked, “Do you have a special organization to help such victims? I am willing to provide medical help.”
Before he left, Dennis took several leaflets about live organ harvesting and said he would put them in his clinic. He also asked where he could learn the Falun Gong exercises. When he learned there was a group exercise site in nearby park, he smiled and said, “I'll see you tomorrow. I will come.”
René said he felt it was everyone's responsibility to condemn the live organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Hamburg: Rally in Front of Chinese Consulate
Falun Gong practitioners in Hamburg held a peaceful rally in front of the Chinese Consulate on July 20, 2019. That afternoon, they went to a popular tourist attraction to tell people about the persecution. Some people were curious about Falun Gong and learned the exercises on the spot.
Practitioners from Hamburg hold a peaceful rally in front of the Chinese Consulate on July 20, 2019.
Practitioners demonstrate the exercises at a popular tourist attraction in downtown Hamburg.People stop to learn about Falun Gong.
Curious to learn more, passersby stop to ask questions about Falun Gong.
People sign the petition condemning the persecution.
A man learns the Falun Gong exercises.
Vienna, Austria: Candlelight Vigil Helps Raise Awareness
Falun Gong practitioners in Vienna held a series of events on July 19-20, 2019 to commemorate fellow practitioners who have lost their lives during the 20-year-long persecution. They held candlelight vigil in front of Stephansplatz on July 19 and set up a stand and posters on July 20 to tell people about the persecution.
Candlelight vigil in front of Stephansplatz, Vienna on July 20, 2019. Attracted by the solemnity of the occasion, many people stop to watch the event and asked questions.
Practitioners talk to people about Falun Gong and the 20-year-long persecution.
Several people stop to read the posters and to learn about Falun Gong.
A woman learns the Falun Gong exercises.
Passersby ask questions about Falun Gong.
Sign the petition in protest of the persecution
Candlelight Vigil in Denmark
Falun Gong practitioners held a candlelight vigil in front of Chinese Embassy on the evening of July 19, 2019. They also held activities in downtown Copenhagen and talked to people about the persecution on the afternoon of July 20, 2019.
Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises in downtown Copenhagen on July 20, 2019.
Candlelight vigil in front of Chinese Embassy in Denmark
People stop and ask questions about Falun Gong and the persecution.
Benny Brix, from the Denmark Falun Dafa Association, introduced Falun Gong and condemned the CCP’s persecution.
Jianzhi Chen recalls what happened when he stood up for Falun Gong in China 20 years ago, on July 20, 1999, and how he was detained.
Man Chen recalls how she was arrested and imprisoned for seven years in China for her belief.
Xuezhen Bao tells how she narrowly escaped being subjected to live organ harvesting while she was incarcerated in Shanghai Women’s Prison for her belief.
Zaiqun Wei describes how she was persecuted by the CCP in China.
Karen, nearly 80 years old, tells a passerby about Falun Gong.
Practitioner Annette (right) at the candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Embassy on July 19
Skive and his family were touring Copenhagen when they saw the event. They were shocked to learn about the CCP’s state-sanctioned live organ harvesting.
Relevant articles in Chinese:Hamburg, GermanyVienna, AustriaDenmark
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Category: July 20 Events
