Czech Republic European 'Celestial Marching Band' in Prague

Saturday, November 17th, 2007, was the 18th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution during which communism fell in former Czechoslovakia. Eighty members of the European Celestial Marching Band, who are musicians who also practise Falun Gong, came to Prague. Their aim was to alert the public to systematical abuse of human rights in China. The rally which was headed by the Marching Band, was supported also by the Czech and Slovak practitioners of Falun Gong who took this special opportunity to support large number of brave people who decided to quit the Communist Party and its affiliated organizatios and thus dissociate from Party’s crimes which were and are still commited during its rule.

Since 1999, Falun Gong is severely persecuted in China. Many thousands of peaceful people who practice Falun Gong are detained in force labour camps, where their organs are forcibly harvested from their bodies while they are still alive and organs are then sold for profit. A detailed report about these crimes was written by two Canadian lawyers, Mr. Kilgour and Mr. Matas (www.organharvestinvestigation.net). Some members of the band went through torture themseves, relatives and friends of others are still detained in the labour camps.

The rally which started in the Old Town Square went through the center of Prague through the Venceslas Square and Charles’ Bridge to the Prague Castle, the main residence of the Czech President, Mr. Vaclav Klaus. Sacred and solemn sound of the European Marching Band lead some passers-by to stop and listen to the melody, others read the flyer or even joined the rally. Some of the bystanders were visibly touched and expressed their heartful support of the activity. Falun Gong practitioners and the principles of Thruthfullnes, Compassion and Forbearance, were thus warmly accepted in Prague.

Originally published in Czech at: http://cz.clearharmony.net/articles/200711/2058.html

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