Russia: Practitioners in St Petersburg have Protested against the Persecution at the Chinese Consulate for Three Years

On July 7th, 2007, as usual, a Falun Gong practitioner with a banner both in Chinese and Russian in his hands was stands in front of the Chinese Consulate in St. Petersburg. A number of Falun Gong practitioners stand on the opposite bank of the canal, protesting against the persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP which has lasted for eight years.

For three years, in all weathers, Falun Gong practitioners in St. Petersburg have been protesting against the persecution at the Chinese Consulate and distributing information to passersby

This protest has lasted for three years. Since the CCP started to persecute Falun Gong in July 1999, the Russian authorities has restricted and forbidden Falun Gong practitioners in groups holding any protest activities at the CCP Consulate because they have been poisoned by the lies of the CCP in addition to being tempted by economic interests.

On July 7th, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners in St. Petersburg held their first single person protest. Practitioners still remember the situation on that day: A practitioner was standing in front of the Chinese Consulate raising a banner of protest, with about forty practitioners on the opposite bank of the canal in front of the Consulate.. Acting under orders, a large number of Russian police came and attempted to stop the protest. Three practitioners talked with them, telling them why the CCP persecuted Falun Gong, explaining to them that there was no need for one person to apply for permit if he or she protested according to the law and asking them not to deprive us of our legal rights. After a period of time, a person in charge from the Home Office came to the scene and told the policemen, "Let them protest, they do not violate the law".

Since then, no matter what the weather, Falun Gong practitioners in St. Petersburg have been persisting in single person protests, other practitioners talk with passersaby. Three years have passed, and residents near the Chinese Consulate all now understand the facts about Falun Gong. When it is cold, occasionally someone delivers a cup of hot coffee to the practitioner. Still other residents carefully ask the practitioners for information about Falun Gong. The practitioners say, “We will be carrying on our protests at the Chinese Consulate until the CCP stops its persecution of Falun Gong.”