Spain: Activities Call for an End to 21 Years of Persecution

July 20 was the 21st anniversary of the start of the persecution of Falun Gong in China. On that dark day in 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated the nationwide persecution of the spiritual practice, which is based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Falun Gong practitioners around the world hold activities to mark July 20 each year and peacefully protest the persecution. The following events were held in Madrid, Spain.

Signature Drive on Plaza Callao in Madrid
Practitioners from many areas gathered in Madrid from July 18 to 20 to peacefully protest the persecution. On July 18, they held activities on Plaza Callao from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Many people were disturbed to hear about the cruelty of the persecution and signed a petition to call for an end to the forced organ harvesting.

On Plaza Callao in Madrid on July 18—raising awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong

Juan, a tourist from South America, said he was sad to know that such things are still going on in China, where people are tortured and even have their organs harvested by the authorities.

Group Exercises in Parque del Buen Retiro
Parque del Buen Retiro is one of the largest parks in Madrid. The Spanish monarchy had it built as a pleasant retreat for the royal family in the 16th Century. It opened to the public in the late 19th Century.

Falun Gong practitioners did the exercises together in the park on the morning of July 19. The graceful movements and soothing music attracted many passersby who wanted to learn more about Falun Gong.

Doing the exercises in Parque del Buen Retiro on July 19

Rally and Protest in front of the Chinese Embassy
Practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Madrid to protest the 21-year-long persecution. Human Rights lawyer Carlos Iglesia spoke, condemning the crimes of the Chinese Communist Party and calling on the regime to stop the persecution immediately.

He also called on embassy employees to learn the truth and break away from the communist party.

Ms. Zhao, a Falun Gong practitioner, spoke about being tortured in China for her belief.

Practitioners in front of the Chinese Embassy in Madrid on July 20, 2020.

Rally and Protest in Front of the Parliament Building
That same day, practitioners rallied in front of the parliament building in Madrid, Congreso de los Diputados.

Practitioners held a rally in front of the Congreso de los Diputados on July 20.