UK: Practitioners Appeal Outside Parliament and Buckingham Palace During Wen Jiabao’s Visit

Wen Jiabao, China’s Premier, visited Parliament in London on the morning of May the 11th 2004, and then went on to Buckingham Palace immediately afterwards. Falun Gong practitioners were there to greet him at both venues with banners reading, “Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice”, “Falun Dafa”, and “Welcome Wen Jiabao”.

Outside Parliament, practitioners played gentle music and distributed information about Falun Gong and the persecution against this peaceful practice that is happening in China to passers by. When Wen Jiabao's motorcade left for Buckingham Palace, the three banners could be clearly seen by the delegation.

Quickly, practitioners walked to Buckingham Palace where the three banners were raised prominently on the central 'island', in front of the gates. Shortly after Falun Gong practitioners arrived, crowds of tourists, including many from Mainland China, gathered to watch the Changing of the Guard. Our banners could be clearly seen by almost everyone. We handed out many leaflets and Video-CDs to curious onlookers and explained the situation of the persecution to them. Touchingly, a teenage girl from Germany sat down in meditation with the practitioners and was keen to learn the exercises.

The police were very supportive throughout these activities and warmly praised practitioners for their peaceful and noble conduct.