Sweden: Introducing Falun Gong and Exposing the Persecution on Gotland Island

Visby is a port city in the southeastern part of Sweden on the west coast of Gotland Island. From the 28th of June 2009 until July 4th in this famous holiday spot, a traditional week long meeting of politicians, known as Almedalsveckan, was held. All the large political parties in Sweden, different organisations, and large scale enterprises held symposiums there. Their meetings dealt with questions regarding politics, economics, and culture. Practitioners from Sweden took this opportunity to hold an activity introducing Falun Gong to those that came to Visby to attend the symposium. They exposed the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong, which has continued for more than ten years.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises in a small park

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises in a small park	People interested in Falun Gong study the exercises

Practitioners handed out flyers and did the exercises in a park in Visby near the politicians' meeting. Many tourists and also local people came to the small park. Some of the practitioners demonstrated the exercises, and some handed out leaflets and also collected signatures. Many people signed their names protesting the persecution and calling for an end to the CCP's harvesting of organs from living Falun Gong practitioners. After some people received materials, they inquired about how to learn the exercises, and some imitated the practitioners who were demonstrating the exercises.

Practitioners also attended several activities at the symposium, and some officials attending the week-long political seminar interviewed practitioners, expressing a desire that practitioners stay in contact with them.

Practitioners came up with another effective way to attract people's attention. One practitioner holding photos walked in front, while another handed out flyers behind him as they passed through the downtown area. This drew in many pedestrians, those sipping beverages by the side of the road, and even some that were eating.

Practitioners met a mother and daughter who had moved here from Xiamen (Amoy, in Fujian Province) in China. They had opened a convenience food store. Practitioners gave them a small Chinese booklet about Falun Gong and a special edition about quitting the CCP, explaining to them the true situation of the staged Tiananmen self immolation. On the last day, practitioners gave them a copy of Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party.

Because of this week of activity, many locals and people attending the symposium from all over learned the truth about Falun Gong. Many people showed an interest in the exercises, welcomed practitioners' activities, and expressed their good wishes.