Germany: China Time 2006 in Hamburg

A few Falun Gong practitioners practice peacefully the meditation exercises without being affected by the bustling life at the rebuilt Jungfersteig in downtown Hamburg, on the Reesendammbruecke, across from the Binnealster. In the background is a picturesque setting: the Hamburg city hall, the river Alster, and it is bustling with people who are on their way home from work or shopping. They all pass the small group of people who are meditating in the middle of them.

To be honest, it is an unusual place to meditate, yet rather fascinating. Several Falun Gong practitioners from Hamburg and other places from that area come to this place twice a week. Their reason for being there is the upcoming CHINATIME 2006, so they can tell the people about the persecution of Falun Gong.

It appears as if some of the passersby are asking themselves, “Why are these people here and doing this?” Some turn around for a while to watch the practitioners, while others come a little closer to ask about what is going on. Others take the information flyers, which are being distributed by a man and a young woman.
On the ground, a graceful young woman sits in lotus position on a banner. She is peacefully meditating. On the other half of the banner one can see the re-enactment of a torture scene. People surround the banner. Some people stand there with their mouth open and stare at the banner and one hears an occasional cry laced with horror feelings. “Is this really true?” “Is this for real?” “Look, the police put sticks under the woman’s finger nails, ahhhh…!” “Terrible, terrifying, gruesome.” “Look! Look!”

Another group of people gather around an easel, where the picture of a dead man is displayed on a board. One can see that the man’s organs have been removed a Falun Gong practitioner who lost his life because the Communist Party inhumanly persecuted him, for only one reason he would not renounce his faith. His face in the picture shows the terrible pain he suffered. It can be seen that the naked upper part of the body had been cut open and then sown together. A terrible sight. Young and old can be seen reading the information about the organ harvesting in China, looking thoughtfully, stunned and deeply shocked. Despite the small effort and moderate means, the event has great impact. Hundreds of flyers were distributed within a short period of time.

“Yes, I have already heard that people in China and in other places sell organs,” said a middle aged woman, who just finished reading with her girl friend the information about the organised organ removal and organ trade by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). “No,” responded a Falun Gong practitioner. “You must have understood it wrongly. These Falun Gong practitioners do not sell their organs out of their free will. They are being kept in special camps until their organs are taken from their living bodies and sold in the market. This absolutely is done involuntarily.”

“The CCP persecutes Falun Gong and its practitioners since 1999. Falun Gong practitioners in China have no human rights. Therefore, the regime wants to make a profit from these practitioners.” She responded, “Oh my god, I understand it incorrectly. I’m glad you explained it. I thought that they sold their organs voluntarily to earn some money. This is just so terrible.” The practitioner told her then, “Yes, a military doctor blew the whistle, as well as the wife of a doctor who took the cornea out of the eyes of many practitioners. Many who were under the knife were still alive. After that the robbed bodies are cremated. In the beginning the doctors often do not know what they are involved in. But they wonder why there are so many voluntary donors. When they finally understand it, they are being told that they are already implicated in the matter of the action.”

“This is great what you are doing here,” added on woman who listened into the conversation. “I’m impressed that you are so dedicated to this. I had never heard of Falun Gong. But now, I will keep my eyes and ears open. Many thanks.”

The other two women inquire about the exercises, “You know, we walked along down there when we saw you standing like this, for so long in the same position. What good does it do?” The practitioner answered, “The exercises open the meridians of the body. It is similar to acupuncture. It is good for ones health.” The two women said their good byes, “Ah, many thanks. You still have to talk to other people. Thank you for taking so much time with us.” Truly, there are still many people near us whose faces show that they have questions. They wait for us to tell them the truth of the persecution of Falun Gong.

Originally published in German at: http://de.clearharmony.net/articles/200609/33516.html