(Minghui.org) Two men paused while strolling through downtown Zurich to quietly watch Falun Gong practitioners demonstrating the exercises. “Those beautiful colors! Those practitioners looked so calm and relaxed. The energy they radiate drew us in,” said Ahmad Al Homaizi, a businessman from Kuwait, with his friend Sylvanus Nawab, a doctor from Cuba. They signed a petition calling for an end to the persecution when they learned that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was persecuting practitioners and even harvesting their organs for transplantation surgeries.
Like Ahmad and Sylvanus, many passersby in the city centers of Bern and Zurich on July 18 and 25, 2026, paused to take in the peaceful scene of practitioners doing the Falun Gong exercises in the bustling streets. They signed petitions to help stop the persecution. Over the past twenty-seven years that Falun Gong has been persecuted in China, similar events have frequently taken place across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa.
Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises at Kornhausplatz in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, on July 18, 2026. (Minghui.org)
Falun Gong practitioners hold events in downtown Zurich on July 18 and 25, 2026. (Minghui.org)
Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance Are Wonderful Qualities Worth Pursuing
A practitioner introduces Falun Gong to passersby at Kornhausplatz in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, on July 18, 2026. (Minghui.org)
This was the first time Homaizi heard of Falun Gong. He and his friend asked what it was and whether it was similar to qigong. A practitioner explained that, in terms of movements, it does resemble many forms of qigong—featuring gentle, slow-paced exercises—but what makes Falun Gong unique is that practitioners not only do the five sets of exercises but also conduct themselves according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, striving to be good people.
“These are wonderful qualities worth pursuing,” Homaizi said. “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—yes, there is no doubt that Forbearance will never go wrong.”
Grzegorz Krawczyk, an IT project manager from Poland, agreed: “Speaking the truth, treating others with compassion, and practicing forbearance are excellent qualities that benefit both our work and our personal lives.” When he heard that in 1999, only seven years after Falun Gong was introduced in China, over a hundred million people there practiced it, largely from hearing about it by word-of-mouth, he marveled, “Poland’s total population is 37 million. I know how massive that number is.”
At Kornhausplatz in Bern, Kerstin, an artist from Germany, and her Swiss friend Janine, a yoga instructor, took a keen interest in the Falun Gong practitioners meditating quietly nearby. The two said they often discuss topics related to faith and religion, so when they heard about the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Kerstin said, “That is wonderful and I fully agree with it. These are principles that everyone should follow, including the next generation. It starts from within each of us, like the way we speak and the way we view things.”
Christa Hafer, an educator, also regards Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance as core values, ideals that resonate with everyone’s inner aspirations. She inquired about the practice and locations of the group exercises and intends to learn the exercises herself.
“Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong”
Falun Gong practitioners gather in front of the Chinese Embassy in Bern on July 18, 2026, to demand an end to the persecution. (Minghui.org)
Practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Embasssy in Bern on July 18, 2026, demanding an end to the persecution. Practitioners and supporters gave speeches to raise awareness of the atrocities taking place in China and calling for support to help end the persecution.
Speeches and banners share the message: “Stop the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong.” (Minghui.org)
Hans Egli, a member of the Zurich Cantonal Council, speakes at the rally. (Minghui.org)
Hans Egli, a member of the Zurich Cantonal Council who traveled to Bern to support Falun Gong practitioners, said that the persecution is not ancient history: “Right now, at this very moment, people are being detained, and their families do not know if they will ever see them again. Their only ‘offense’ is living according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
He said that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are not political slogans. They are universal values that strengthen social cohesion and the totalitarian regimes view them as a threat because they liberate the human spirit.
In their speeches, practitioners shared some of the firsthand information received via Minghui.org—relayed out of China through various channels—including personal accounts from practitioners who were tortured. Upon learning the truth about the CCP’s persecution, many passersby signed a petition calling for its end.
Take Action to Stop the Persecution
Passersby and tourists sign a petition calling for an end to the persecution. (Minghui.org)
Caterine, a business professional, said she previously heard from colleagues about the CCP’s persecution. She finds it saddening and regrettable, believing it is something that should not happen. When Caterine stopped at the rally, she felt it was “beautiful and peaceful,” adding, “this is an important issue that deserves support…everyone should be able to practice their faith and cultivation, and improve their health, in the way they choose.”
She hopes that more people will pay attention to and support the opposition to persecution: “Ultimately, only when more people pay attention can change be driven in that place far away.”
In downtown Zurich, IT project manager Krawczyk explained to his young daughter about the crimes of forced organ harvesting by the CCP printed on the banners. He said, “I know about forced organ harvesting. I read reports about it years ago. I know it is actually happening because China performs a vast number of organ transplants.” He believes that forcibly removing someone’s organs without their consent is illegal and violates natural law. “No matter how you look at it, it is wrong. It is utterly evil,” he added.
Krawczyk signed the petition in the hopes of urging the Swiss government to take action to help stop the persecution.
As passersby came and went, the list of signatures grew longer. Some signed as entire families, and some tram drivers signed during their breaks. They all expressed hope to see an end to the persecution.
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Category: July 20 Events
