Russia: Appealing Against the Persecution of Women in China on Women’s International Anti-Violence Day

Women’s International Anti-Violence Day fell on November the 25th. Falun Gong practitioners in St. Petersburg gathered in Neva Street in the city centre, opposite the famous Kazansky Cathedral. This is a regular spot where St. Petersburg practitioners promote Falun Gong and tell people the facts about the persecution. Activities were held this time to appeal against the torture and physical abuse of female Falun Gong practitioners in China. Prior to the activities, the local media had already been informed about Falun Gong and the purpose of the activities. Due to practitioners’ previous efforts to raise awareness about the persecution among government representatives, the practitioners were subsequently granted permission to hold activities by the local government.

Exercise demonstration	Poster display

The activities lasted for three hours. On the street was a display of photos fitting into three categories: “The renowned female artist Zhang Cuiying under persecution in China”, “Chinese Falun Gong practitioners subject to torture” and “Falun Dafa gaining worldwide popularity”. In addition, two large banners were displayed to the locals. One of them read “Investigate the Persecution Against Falun Gong Practitioners by Jiang, Luo, Liu and Zhou”. The other stated the purpose of holding the activities.

Passers-by read the poster display	Telling people about the persecution

It was snowing in St. Petersburg on that day. Not swayed by the foul weather, Dafa practitioners still peacefully demonstrated the exercises, sent forth righteous thoughts, handed out leaflets and told the people the facts about the persecution. Some passers-by raised questions and the practitioners answered their questions in detail. Others were shocked and enraged by the persecution happening in China. Several people who had been informed of the truth said that they want to learn the exercises at their local practice site.