France: Exposing the Lies of the "Self-Immolation" and Presenting the Truth about Falun Gong Practice

Recently, China’s state-controlled Central TV Station (CCTV) once again slandered Falun Gong using the staged self-immolation incident in Tiananmen Square from 2001. On the weekend of 22nd and 23rd of January, Falun Gong practitioners in Paris held two separate activities to raise awareness about the persecution and let people know the truth about this self-immolation incident. One was in the Paris Chinatown district and the other was under the famous French tourist spot, the Eiffel Tower.

The practitioners used a large-screen TV to broadcast the film “False Fire” to the public. This film was made by NTDTV and won the Honourary Award at the 51st International Columbia Film Festival. It was created using CCTV’s live “Self-Immolation” video clips to expose the lies which Jiang used to frame and incite hatred against Falun Gong. Many French people learned that the people who set themselves on fire on Tiananmen Square were not Falun Gong practitioners but had actually been arranged by the communist regime to set themselves on fire and claim that they practise Falun Gong. This was then used as part of the propaganda campaign to turn people against Falun Gong. Falun Gong practitioners are a group of good and peaceful people who live their lives by following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance.

Through demonstrating the five sets of Falun Gong exercises and distributing leaflets, Paris Falun Gong practitioners hoped to let people know about the practice in a positive way and called for kind-hearted people to sign the petition to “appeal for an immediate end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China”.

In freezing temperatures, passing pedestrians were attracted to the images shown on TV and the Falun Gong exercise demonstration, and stopped one by one to watch, read the posters and talk to the practitioners. People who have understood the truth expressed their sympathy and support by signing the petition calling for an end to the persecution.