France: Introducing Falun Gong at Paris City Hall Square

Falun Gong practitioners gathered at Paris City Hall Square on Saturday afternoon, June 12, 2021. They demonstrated the exercises, introduced Falun Gong, and raised awareness of the ongoing persecution in China.

France has entered its third phase of reopening the country and eliminating restrictions due to the Wuhan virus. Most businesses were operating normally on this bright and sunny day, and many pedestrians were out enjoying the sunshine. The scene of Falun Gong practitioners doing their peaceful exercises attracted the attention of many passersby. Many people talked to practitioners to learn more about Falun Gong and sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution. They also expressed their support to end the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong.

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises at City Hall Square in Paris	People read the posters and ask questions about Falun Gong.
People sign the practitioners’ petition to end the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

People read the posters at City Hall Square.

Artist Christelle Guillet Shares Her Thoughts
Christelle Guillet is an artist who lives in the Auvergne region in central France. She was visiting friends in Paris with her husband and their two children. She was delighted to see the event and said it was no coincidence that she was there. Some of her paintings are about human rights, so this event inspired her. She said that communism is absurd and doesn’t respect human life. The CCP’s persecution of minority groups is exactly the same as what the Nazis did.

She once told her children, “We lost ourselves and became victims of deception. We didn’t want to participate in acts against humanity, but we were deceived by communism. We thought doing business with the CCP was a good thing, and we thought the products from China were cheap and practical, but it turned out many products we purchased were produced in forced labor camps. The CCP should not kill people, harvest peoples’ organs for profit, and torture people in labor camps. Respect for human rights is more important than economic interests.”

Artist Christelle Guillet signs the petition and shows her support for the practitioners’ efforts.

She told practitioners, “Thank you for being here to raise awareness of the persecution. The world needs people like you. People like me, who sign the petition, should raise their voices and help spread the truth. You protest the crimes being committed against humanity, and I think that justice will prevail if we spread the truth.”

She took photos of Falun Gong practitioners meditating and said she would do a painting inspired by the photos.

Patricia Albanese, a Parisian, said, “The Chinese Communist Party extended its persecution of Falun Gong to the whole world. The CCP is a dictatorial power that violates human rights. However, many governments, organizations, and businesses collaborate with the CCP for political and economic interests. I am shocked that no one has stood up to do something about these acts against humanity.”

Roger Adda, a retired accountant, said, “The Chinese Communist Party, like other communist parties, maintains its power by violence, murder, assassination, and deportation. The CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong is against humanity.”

Luc, a publisher, is enthusiastic about traditional Chinese culture, medicine, and language. He had a strong interest in Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong) cultivation practice and wants to learn more about it. He said, “The CCP has persecuted various groups and millions of people in China since the very beginning. They’ve targeted all people and activities that hold opinions different from the CCP.”

Mr. Bagot, another passerby, said, “I stand with the people against persecution. I am against the persecution in China! I am with you!”

Eloise, a therapist, heard about Falun Dafa from a friend a few years ago. She had a copy of Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Gong. Eloise had heard about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China but had not heard anything about live organ harvesting. She hoped to see more such events and wanted to learn more about Falun Gong.