Greece: Falun Gong is Introduced to the World in Athens

In the early morning of the 11th of August 2004, Athens city centre showed signs of bustling activity. On the following day, in accordance with Olympic tradition, the Olympic torch race will reach its pinnacle with the lighting of the Olympic flame, marking the start of the games.

But today, the Athenians and those visiting the city from all over the world were to experience a different kind of highlight: A Falun Gong practitioners’ parade. Graceful dancers in beautiful flowing dresses displayed the Lotus Flower Dance. Following them were waist drummers dressed in golden costumes. Under the shining sun they filled the streets with rhythmic reverberation. At the back of the parade were practitioners dressed in white.

Many of the spectators smiled warmly at the performers. They clapped spontaneously or reached for their cameras. The atmosphere was receptive and joyful; the practitioners were welcomed with kind gestures and words. One older woman called out, “Look at this. Why aren’t the Greeks like this”?

According to statements from the parade organisers, it is distinctively precious for Falun Gong practitioners to have been given permission to carry out such an event during the days of the Olympics. The Chinese Embassy placed a large amount of pressure on the Greek Government, even at the last moment, to prevent this event.

The Greek police didn’t expect such a massive crowd of people to be so calm and peaceful. They appeared to be anxious tense at the start of the parade. In the next ten minutes they encountered an unexpected scene. Obviously clearly surprised by the peaceful nature of the Dafa-practitioners, an “all clear” was issued over the radio. The tension dissipated. Afterwards, the police stayed in the background during the rest of the parade.

Having reached the Syntagma Plaza, the spectators, journalists from ten television stations, and twenty other media outlets, were again shown the Lotus Flower Dance, followed by the drummers and a speech from the chairman of the European Dafa Association who talked about the parade. Staying true to the spirit of the Olympic Games, consisting of peace and fairness, the Falun Dafa practitioners wanted to share the magnificent Dafa principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. These principles lead to higher moral standards, peacefulness, tolerance, and thoughtfulness.

In 2008, the next Olympic games will be held in China, a country which rejected these same principles. At the moment there are severe ongoing human rights violations, cruelly exacted against Falun Gong practitioners in China. As reported by well-known human rights organisations, this persecution amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity.

Hopefully, the many Chinese people currently in Athens will recognize the respect for human dignity and basic human rights form the basis of the Olympic spirit.

The ongoing efforts of the Falun Dafa practitioners in Athens built on the success of the parade and culminated with a musical performance, held near the Acropolis on the evening of August 16th.

Translated from German at http://de.clearharmony.net/articles/200408/18749.html