Germany: Support for Falun Gong During Berlin Parade

A parade to support Falun Gong was held today within the framework of the EU-China human rights dialogue and found the approval of Berlin’s citizens. “I wish Falun Gong success, I support them”, said Denise Eren. The Berlin resident, who mentioned that she had never heard of Falun Gong before, turned very sad when looking at the torture scenes and posters depicting murdered Falun Gong practitioners.

Edmond Connery was very enthusiastic about the huge support and interest shown by the Germans. He was a tourist from London who thought that the Germans really supported the parade. “There is bound to be an effect in China because people there will realise that the Germans care.” He had already heard that Falun Gong was a peaceful group in China. He mentioned that the practitioners there are mistreated by the Chinese regime. It is one of the reasons why he is sympathetic towards Falun Gong.

Jens Oeltjebruns was amazed at the number of Falun Gong practitioners participating in the parade. He is from Berlin and had already heard about the spiritual practice on TV and in public announcements on Breitscheidplatz Square. He thought that the parade was sure to raise awareness among Germans about the persecution of the meditative practice in China at the hands of the Communist regime. “The CCP in China is not impressed by the human rights dialog between the EU and China.” He believes that it is possible to point out the dark sides of China in advance of the Olympics but that the Chinese regime would not make any enduring changes. “The only way you can achieve anything is through trade agreements; we have to decrease our demand for Chinese products.”

By chance, a Chinese asylum applicant had introduced Alexander Wurm to the meditative practice, last year in Munich. The Berlin resident used to practice for a while and had a very good impression. He commented that the persecution of Falun Gong was not justified because the meditative practice is really good. He had heard rumours that Falun Gong was a defamatory term omitted because they come out in huge numbers but he doesn’t think this is true. “They are simply exercises to relieve stress that everyone could use; I’d actually like to try Falun Gong again.”

Helmut Jörg participated in the parade because he wanted to take a stance against the crimes of the Communist regime in Beijing. He came from Tübingen and said: “It is terrible to see people who have only done good deeds, being persecuted and murdered.” His desire was to tell more people about the crimes in China and to support the movement.

A sixteen year old Chinese girl, Na Chen, came from Vienna to attend the protest. “I want to do something to stop the persecution.” People need to become aware about the real story in China.

After a press conference and speeches by representatives of NGO’s, as well as victims of the persecution in China, the protest march, which had been organised by the German Falun Gong Association started shortly after noon at Breitscheidplatz Square. It took two hours to cover the six kilometers from Kurfürstendamm, via Wittenbergplatz Square, and finally ending on Adenauer Platz Square. There were demonstrations of torture methods used on Falun Gong practitioners in China, a waist drum group and an exercise demonstration. Immediately after the protest march, another parade took place to encourage people to quit the Communist Party. According to the Berlin police, about 250 people participated in the parade.