Denmark: March in Copenhagen Raises Awareness of the Persecution

European Falun Gong practitioners and supporters gathered in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, on July 20, 2013, to hold a peaceful march, calling on people from all walks of life to support efforts to stop the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong. The activities received widespread support.

The march set off at two o'clock in the afternoon, led by the Divine Land Marching Band. They played the music “Falun Dafa is Good,” “The Holy Law-Wheel King,” “Drums and Trumpets Shake the Ten Directions,” and “Delivering Treasures.” The pure, beautiful melodies were warmly received by the spectators.

The theme of the second section of the parade was Falun Dafa's spread around the world. Falun Dafa is currently embraced in more than one hundred countries. The banners in this part of the march included the messages, "Falun Dafa is Good," "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is Good," and "The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance."

The theme of the third section of the march was about stopping the persecution, including the Chinese regime's live organ harvesting from imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners. Female practitioners wearing white dresses marched, holding photos of fellow practitioners who have lost their lives in the persecution. A re-enactment of the CCP’s organ harvesting of living Falun Gong practitioners called attention to the atrocity, which has been called an “unprecedented evil on this planet.”

The theme of the fourth section was the rising tide of withdrawals from the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Next was the drum team, wearing yellow traditional costumes, playing the music “Falun Dafa is Good.”

The procession started at Parliament Square, proceeded along bustling streets, past Rosenborg Palace, the National Theatre, King's Plaza Nueva, Anderson Avenue, and finally ended at the destination, City Hall Square.

Danish National Radio Station P4 Broadcast Falun Gong Event Calendar
July 20 is a solemn day, marking the start of the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP. The persecution has been ongoing for fourteen years. Danish National Radio Station P4 (Danmark Radio P4) interviewed Falun Gong practitioner Benny in the morning, and broadcast details about the day's Falun Gong events.

A Danish woman who knew something about Falun Gong was very interested in the events. In the morning she listened to the radio and learned more about the persecution of Falun Gong. She made a special trip to Parliament Square, and followed the march to the end. She went to Town Hall Square and attended the rally.

Lonny Hansen from Denmark and her friend were out taking a stroll and noticed the activities. Attracted by the Falun Gong exercise demonstration, they went over to talk to the practitioners. Ms. Hansen's friend is from Bulgaria. She said, "I come from a Communist country too. Today China is still ruled by the Communist Party. I think that such a regime is a threat to the world."

Both women signed the petition from Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), calling for an end to the CCP's organ harvesting atrocities. Ms. Hansen said, "Such terrible things are happening in China. Falun Gong practitioners are brutally persecuted, thrown into jail, and their organs are harvested while they are alive and sold for profit. I want to sign my name to support Falun Gong and to stop the crime of organ harvesting."

Practitioners told the ladies that it was exactly 14 years ago that day when the CCP began the inhuman persecution. "We know. We heard Danish radio this morning," Ms. Hansen said, "People should have their own independent thinking and choice. A government cannot force upon people what to think."

Justice Will Prevail in the World
A middle-aged Chinese gentleman attentively recorded the march with his mobile phone. He had a solemn look on his face. A practitioner asked him whether he knew about Falun Gong. He said that he knew a little, but had not seen such a large event before. Just then, an older western gentleman left the procession and came over to talk. The practitioner told the Chinese man that the Dane was 85 years old but still in remarkable health, and that many Westerners practice Falun Gong. Then, the practitioners dressed in white arrived. The Chinese man pointed to the photos they carried and asked, "Who are these people?" The practitioner replied, "These are Falun Gong practitioners who lost their lives at the hands of the CCP. Many of them were very young, and many were killed only a few days after being arrested. Nearly four thousand Falun Gong practitioners have been verified as having died as a direct result of the persecution in China." The Chinese man appeared to be shocked. After a short silence, he said slowly, "Justice will prevail in the world!"

Ms. Sanda, a Danish woman, was watching the march with her husband and children. She said that she was deeply impressed by the Divine Land Marching Band. As for the persecution happening in China, Ms. Sanda said, "We heard about the persecution of Falun Gong in China. It is really awful. I think it’s great that they march peacefully to express their wishes. It is human rights, and I support them."

After signing the petition to condemn the organ harvesting, a woman from Gambia explained to her son about the event. She said to the practitioners, "It is great for Falun Gong to organize such an event. I feel good energy. People have to treat this matter seriously and take responsibility for human rights around the world."

A professional photographer was taking pictures of the event from the roadside. He said that he would provide the footage to the Danish press.

People Learn about the CCP’s Persecution of Falun Gong
The grand procession attracted a large crowd of onlookers along the way. After receiving an informational leaflet, young Kshtiz from Nepal carefully read it. He had never heard of Falun Gong, and was shocked to learn about the CCP’s organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners. He said he felt that the Falun Gong practitioners in the procession all seemed very nice. He wondered why such brutality was happening in China, and he was eager to learn the truth.

Simin, from Afghanistan, intently watched the long march. It was the first time that she had heard of Falun Gong. Simin said that it was very good for Falun Gong to fight against the persecution in a peaceful manner. She wanted to tell her daughter and her friends about these things, hoping to pass the information along to more people.

Having seen the march, two Chinese people who lived in Copenhagen called Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Wu. Over the phone, they cried while sharing their feelings about watching the Falun Gong march: “We were so touched by the procession. You did this not only for China's human rights, but also for the world's human rights. There were so many older people, who persisted for so long under the scorching sun without drinking water. We feel there is hope for China.”