France: Chinese in Paris, “Everything You Say Is True”

This summer of 2020, from mid-July to the end of August, Falun Dafa practitioners have held activities in the main Chinese community of Paris. Every afternoon except for Sundays and Mondays, when shops are closed, practitioners demonstrate the exercises, talk to people about the practice and assist Chinese people to renounce their membership in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations.

Practitioners introduced the spiritual discipline of Falun Dafa and talked to people about the persecution during weekly activities in Chinatown, Paris from mid-July to the end of August, 2020.

One day, a Chinese woman from Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China told practitioners, “Due to the Chinese government’s anti-Falun Dafa propaganda, I was always afraid to talk to you. I kept reading the information you hand out, but I wondered if what you say is true. Then the pandemic broke out and I realized that everything you say is true. The CCP is so evil. Because of its cover-up of the virus, so many people in the world have been affected.”

She told practitioners that she supports them, and decided to quit her membership in the CCP.

“Everyone Should Censure the CCP”
One day when it was nearly time for practitioners to pack up for the day, a French woman named Dominica asked about their activities. She said, “I heard about the forced organ harvesting [of prisoners of conscience in China] in the past, but I didn’t want to believe it. Today, seeing you in person and hearing your explanation about this, I believe this is true. I cannot imagine such a thing would happen in China. Only beasts would do this.”

A practitioner explained that the persecution of Falun Dafa has been going on for 21 years and practitioners have been raising awareness about the atrocities all this time.

Dominica said, “Everyone should censure the CCP. What the French government is doing at the moment is not enough.” She asked for a copy of the petition to call for an end to the persecution, and after signing it she said she plans to mail it to her local government member. “I’m very upset to read about this. I really want to help you. You must keep on doing this,” she said.

“I Can Testify that All of This Is True”
An Asian woman took a brochure when she passed by the area. She came back after walking a long way off. She said, “I’m a Cambodian. I want to sign your petition. I know very well about the CCP.” She told practitioners that many Cambodians have experienced the tyranny of Communist rule and it is very painful to recall what happened in the past.

After signing the petition, she handed it to several French women who stood next to her reading the information boards, and said, “You must sign this. It is true and I can testify. I was persecuted by the Communists. Please sign the petition and help these people.” The three women immediately signed the petition.

Hope for the Future
A French man who is retired was on one of his regular walks when he passed by the information booth. He told practitioners, “I see a lot of problems in society. What can we do?”

Practitioners suggested that he read Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa's teachings, as the book discusses the importance of moral values and that all the problems we face today are caused by the degeneration of these values.

“Does mankind have a future? Is there really hope for humanity?” he asked. A practitioner replied, “If people improve their character there is hope for the future.”

Passersby Want to Learn the Exercises
One woman spoke to a practitioner for a long time. She said that she had been searching for a form of cultivation practice. She was very excited to meet Falun Dafa practitioners and said it was what she’d been looking for.

A teacher who taught physical education recorded practitioners’ exercise movements. He realized afterwards there is free video instruction online. He said he would tell everyone in his social circle about this mind and body practice.

Another woman bought refreshments for the practitioners after watching them do the exercises, hand out information and talk to people. She said, “It must be very tough as the weather is so hot. I bought these iced drinks for you. Please keep talking to people.”

Practitioners have had several experiences like this every day – people expressing their kindness and support.