(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a rally and parade in Amsterdam on May 17, 2026, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. The practitioners were from more than twelve European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Serbia, and Switzerland.

Harry van Bommel, former Member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, addressed the rally to commemorate the occasion.

The parade included the Tian Guo Marching Band, fairy ladies, lion dance, waist drum team, and banner team. They started from Dam Square, proceeded along the Kloveniersburgwal—located on the eastern side of Amsterdam’s city center, and passed Nieuwmarkt, Chinatown, and Damrak in front of Central Station, and returned to Dam Square.

Many people watched the parade. Nearly 800 people signed a petition to support Falun Dafa. At least 10 Chinese people renounced their memberships in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations.

Parade in Amsterdam on May 17, 2026, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day

Former Parliamentarian Attends the Rally

Harry van Bommel, former Member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, addresses the rally.

Mr. Harry van Bommel supports practitioners’ efforts to expose the persecution.

He said in the rally, “Falun Gong practitioners in China suffer the CCP’s long-term persecution. I call on the Dutch government to pay attention to the issue. I hope Falun Gong practitioners put forward a petition requesting continuous attention to the persecution in China.”

Mr. Harry van Bommel posts news in his Facebook account.

He said he was pleased to attend the rally, “It is encouraging to see practitioners on Dam Square. Falun Gong is a huge group with widespread support. We are talking about an immense issue that not only involves China, but many people across the world.”

He watched Shen Yun last year in Amsterdam, and he was impressed. He said, “Shen Yun unites people with music and dance. It helps people know about the CCP’s persecution and the state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting. Many Dutch people felt these matters were far from their own lives—and thus lacked sufficient awareness—but this artistic performance proved highly successful. Raising awareness of the issue was remarkably effective.”

He hopes that the Dutch government pays attention to the persecution and passes legislation similar to the Falun Gong Protection Act passed in the US House of Representatives. He called more Dutch people to condemn the forced organ harvesting, and he called it a crime against humanity.

He also posted photos of the event and his speech on his Facebook so more people would be aware of this issue.

Hoping More People Are Aware of the Persecution

Liudmila Orupe and her two sonsLiudmila Orupe and her two sons participate in the parade

Liudmila Orupe, from Russia, traveled to Amsterdam from Halver, Germany. She brought her two sons to participate in the parade. Her husband pushed a stroller in which their baby son sat, and they followed the procession.

Liudmila became interested in Eastern culture when she was a child. She learned the Chinese language in Changchun, China in 2008. She began practicing Falun Dafa in 2009 when she saw her mother’s positive changes after she began practicing.

Liudmila underwent leg surgery when she was in her teens, which left her with residual numbness. After she began practicing Falun Dafa these symptoms gradually disappeared.

She said the persecution in China must stop and the suppression of Falun Dafa in Russia must cease. She and her family actively participate in rallies and parades. They participated in the parade in Frankfurt on Saturday and then drove for over three hours to Amsterdam. Her children love the Tian Guo Marching Band and watching the lion dance.

“Many good people in China are being persecuted, and this must be exposed,” Liudmila said. She hopes more people learn about Falun Dafa and are aware of the persecution.

Onlookers Learn About the Practice

Arielle (middle) and her mother, Natalia (right)

Arielle and her mother, Natalia, were drawn to the Tian Guo Marching Band. They viewed the display boards to learn about Dafa.

Arielle said the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance “fit all people and cultures.”

They said they did not know about Falun Dafa before, but felt sad after reading the information about the persecution. They signed the petition and said they hope the persecution ends soon. Natalia said, “I didn’t know about this. It’s terrible.”

Cecile (second from right), from Paris, France, and her children.

Cecile explained that during her travels to different countries, she sees many forms of peaceful protest. The Falun Dafa activities in Amsterdam’s central square felt even more open and unrestricted. “To me, this represents freedom of speech. Everyone has the right to share whatever message they wish with the world.”

When she learned that the event was held to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and that practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance to become better people. Cecile said these principles are great.

After learning that Falun Dafa was introduced in 1992 and is practiced in over 100 countries, she was surprised and said she would learn more after going home.

She said it was the first time she had heard about the persecution in China. “This [persecution] makes me feel uneasy,” she said.

She and her children planned to return to France that day, and she felt very good to see such a peaceful and sincere display at the end of her trip, and she was even more impressed with Amsterdam.