(Minghui.org) To mark the 26th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ efforts to expose the persecution, practitioners held a peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Finland on July 17, 2025.

Two days later, on July 19, they set up an information booth near the popular Kamppi shopping center in the center of Helsinki. They told people about Falun Gong, demonstrated the exercises, and collected signatures on a petition calling for an end to the persecution. They hoped to draw more attention to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 26-year-long persecution in China.

Practitioners peacefully protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Finland.

The information booth drew many locals and tourists, especially visitors from China. Many Chinese tourists were curious and took photos. One young Chinese man approached practitioners and asked detailed questions about Falun Gong overseas. He was surprised to learn that Falun Gong is freely practiced in many countries. He said, “You would never see something like this in China.” Before leaving, he asked for informational materials. Seeing this, other Chinese tourists who had hesitated before also started taking flyers.

Many local people read the posters and flyers and signed the petition to help end the persecution.

Many residents signed the petition without hesitation after reading the display boards and flyers. An elderly Finnish couple stopped to read about practitioners who were tortured to death. They were appalled by the brutality and signed the petition to show their support.

Engla, a student from Vaasa, also signed and said, “I’m in a hurry, but I still felt I had to stop and sign. I think what you’re doing is important.”

Simon, who practices Tibetan Buddhism, was drawn to the peaceful and calm atmosphere as practitioners did the exercises. He said the CCP destroyed Buddhism in Tibet and has persecuted religious beliefs for a long time.

Simon expressed deep sympathy for the practitioners and found it appalling that such a peaceful group could be so harshly suppressed. Despite the chaos in today’s world, Simon said he believes in karma and that good will be rewarded. As he left, he smiled and said, “I’m really glad I had the chance to talk with you today. It was a pleasant and meaningful conversation!”

A local Finnish couple, Jesse and Kata, were also drawn to the booth. They stopped to watch and tried to do the exercises. When asked if they knew about Falun Gong, Jesse said he had previously heard of it and knew it was a type of energy practice. “I like Falun Gong,” he said. He added that he could understand the physical and mental harm caused by the persecution and said he would pray for those who lost their lives under the Chinese regime. The couple explained the petition and the situation in China to their daughter, and the family of three signed the petition. They wished practitioners success in gathering more support.

Besides locals, many tourists from around the world also signed the petition during the event. A student named Bolko, from Ukraine and currently studying in Finland, said he saw a Falun Gong march in Helsinki a few weeks earlier, so he knew about the practice. He gladly took an information flyer and wished the practitioners well.