(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners from across the Netherlands gathered at Dam Square in the capital, Amsterdam, on July 20, 2025. They demonstrated the exercises, told people about the persecution, collected signatures on a petition, and commemorated fellow practitioners who lost their lives during the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. They called on the CCP to end its 26-year campaign of persecution, discrimination, torture, and transnational repression of Falun Gong.
Practitioners did the exercises, told people about the persecution, and honored those who died due to the CCP’s persecution.
Dutch Falun Dafa Association Chair Speaks, Human Rights Organizations Offer Support
Ms. Wang Jia’en, chair of the Dutch Falun Dafa Association, addressed the rally.
Ms. Wang Jia’en said, “On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party launched a nationwide suppression of Falun Gong. This was because Falun Gong grew rapidly in popularity, and because its principles—rooted in traditional values—contradicted the CCP’s atheist ideology. The then CCP leader Jiang Zemin ordered that Falun Gong be eradicated within three months.
“Outside of China, the CCP also launched a disturbing campaign of transnational repression. In recent years, not only has it targeted Falun Gong practitioners, but also Shen Yun Performing Arts—a New York-based dance company founded by Falun Gong practitioners dedicated to reviving traditional Chinese culture. Tactics include harassment, defamation, bomb threats, cyber attacks, and legal intimidation. In the past year alone, over 140 such incidents occurred. Internal leaks reveal that top CCP officials, including Xi Jinping himself, are behind these actions. Their goal is to suppress the truth, manipulate public opinion, and weaponize democracy and freedom for authoritarian control.”
She called for, “An end to the persecution of Falun Gong, an end to the CCP’s state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting, an end to transnational repression and propaganda, and the release of all prisoners of conscience!”
Hans Noot, director of the Dutch human rights organization Human Rights Without Frontiers, sent a letter in support of Falun Gong practitioners’ efforts. He wrote that for 26 years, the CCP has relentlessly tortured peaceful citizens, and stripped them of due process and dignity. The persecution of Falun Gong is so severe that some international observers described it as genocide. We must speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. The EU, UN experts, and governments around the world have condemned this persecution, but more concrete action is needed.
He said that Falun Gong practitioners have shown extraordinary peaceful resistance in the face of darkness. We have a duty to match their courage with action. Let us join together to create a world where no one is imprisoned or killed for their beliefs—a world where the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is honored, not suppressed.
At the rally, practitioners spoke with tourists from around the world. The gentle and graceful exercises drew many curious onlookers, some of whom joined them. Those who previously saw Shen Yun or already understood the truth about Falun Gong signed the petition in support.
“We Must Speak Up for Those Who Cannot”
Stephanie Lamb said, “We must do everything to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Stephanie Lamb, who now lives in Amsterdam, recalled seeing Falun Gong practitioners holding candlelight vigils outside the Chinese embassy in London years ago. She said their perseverance deeply moved her. She later read Falun Gong books and learned that the practice is based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She sympathized with the unjust persecution that practitioners face.
“What confuses me is why a peaceful group promoting kindness and tolerance would be seen as a threat by a government. I truly don’t understand,” she said. She was glad to attend the rally and contribute, “Even in a small way to a cause of peace, justice, compassion, and tolerance.” She added, “The persecution must end. We must ensure our voices are heard and speak up for those who cannot.”
Czech Tourist: “Communism Must End”
Andre from the Czech Republic said, “I hope Chinese people enjoy the freedom we have.”
Andre, a tourist from the Czech Republic, said, “We used to live under communist rule too. Czech people had no freedom and could be thrown in prison. We overthrew communism 35 years ago, and now we have freedom and democracy. It’s so much better.”
Referring to the CCP’s live organ harvesting, he said, “Communism treats people like objects. That’s inhumane. We must resist it. The persecution must stop. So many things are restricted in China. I hope Chinese people can one day enjoy the same freedom we do.”
“Our Whole Family Supports You!”
Luce from Italy
Luce, from Italy, saw a Shen Yun performance two years ago and learned about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong. “It was horrifying—like a nightmare. I understood it was a purely political campaign.”
When she heard that the theaters where Shen Yun was scheduled to perform received bomb threats this year from the CCP, she exclaimed, “That’s terrifying. No country or government should treat people this way.” Watching the peaceful exercise demonstration, she said, “These people can stay so focused amid the noise. I believe this practice is very powerful—not just for them, but it brings a calming energy to observers too.
“I know you are good people. I support you—our whole family supports you!”
The Persecution Must End
Sarah and John from the U.K. said, “Stop the persecution immediately!”
Sarah and John, a couple from Liverpool, UK, signed the petition as soon as they saw that the activity was about Falun Gong. They explained that a few months earlier, they watched the film, Eternal Spring on BBC, which tells the story of practitioners who risked their lives to broadcast the truth about the persecution on Chinese TV.
They were moved by the practitioners’ courage, and realized how fortunate they were to enjoy freedoms they previously took for granted. “Stop the persecution—100 percent. It’s unbelievable,” said John. Sarah added, “It’s absolutely horrifying and should never be allowed.”
Father and Son Condemn the Persecution
A father and his son from Sweden said, “We don’t like communism!”
A Swedish father and his son also signed the petition. The father said, “Supporting Falun Gong practitioners in China is meaningful to me because my son is from China. I’m glad he can help people from the land of his birth.”
The boy, who was adopted at age two, said after hearing the facts, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are great. If everyone followed these principles, the world would be more peaceful and people kinder. I don’t know much about the CCP, but hearing about this persecution, I don’t understand why they would do that. It’s a cruel system—I don’t like it and I don’t support it.”
People were drawn to the beauty of the Falun Gong exercises and joined practitioners.
Practitioners shared the truth with the public. Many who understood the situation signed the petition in support of Falun Gong.
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Category: July 20 Events
