France: Continued Support for Falun Gong on Human Rights Square

Despite the hot summer day, Falun Gong practitioners in Paris held activities at the Plaza of Liberties and Human Rights on August 9, 2020. Every Sunday, practitioners come to the plaza and hold group exercises, raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of their faith, and collect signatures on a petition calling for an end to the persecution.

Amid the pandemic, more people have seen the Communist Party’s deceit and the harm it has brought to the world. Upon hearing of the CCP’s atrocities of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners, people signed a petition condemning the crime and said they hope the persecution will stop immediately. Some encouraged practitioners to keep up with their efforts to counter the persecution, and others learned the Falun Gong exercises.

Falun Gong activities at the Plaza of Liberties and Human Rights

Mr. Alexis Trouillas hopes to help Falun Gong practitioners.

Mr. Alexis Trouillas, an association chair, was shaken by the brutality of the CCP’s persecution, especially forced organ harvesting. He said many world leaders have stayed silent to protect their economic interests but lost the basic values of humanity in doing so.

Mr. Trouillas said Falun Gong’s values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are the ultimate motto of every religion. “I’m touched that you live these values through meditation and self-cultivation. You are suppressed in China but choose to sound the alarm and call for people’s attention in France. I appreciate you and support you!”

Mr. Amine Penhachen, a film director, was fascinated by practitioners’ oasis of tranquillity amid the bustling city noise. “I feel your energy and the importance of your activities,” Mr. Penhachen said. He called the CCP’s persecution a crime against humanity. “I feel I must stand with you and expose this persecution,” he said.

Practitioners tell tourists about the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Mr. Francis Mockel, a government retiree, said that many things in China have gone in the opposite direction of democracy and human rights. He said it was a pity that international government leaders have favoured economic interests over human rights. “As citizens, we must say no to these cowards. That’s why I signed the petition. It’s easy to say we are a democratic country, but it’s hard to live up to the name.”

Oceanne and Malvina, two high school students, said that forced organ harvesting shouldn’t exist in any corner of the world and that the CCP’s murder of practitioners is irrational. “I hope the persecution will stop,” Oceanne said. Malyina added, “The world needs to improve. We can’t allow this to continue. It’s serious. Everyone should have freedom of belief.”