Switzerland: Peacefully Protesting the Persecution of Falun Gong in Front of the Chinese Consulate

On the morning of July 20, 2010, Aleardo, a Falun Gong practitioner who works in an insurance company in Switzerland took trolley bus No.7 as usual, but he got off at the nearby Chinese Consulate in Zurich, ahead of his usual location. Here, he started doing the sitting meditation. For the past eleven years, July 20th has carried a different meaning for him, because on that very day in 1999, the Chinese Communist regime started its brutal persecution of Falun Gong, and it was also the beginning of millions of Falun Gong practitioners working together against the persecution and raising awareness among the general public about the persecution.

Exercise demonstration

Peacefully protesting the persecution in front of the Chinese Consulate

Over the past eleven years, Aleardo, along with numerous other practitioners, has been using a variety of means to help people learn about the persecution of Falun Gong. On July 20, the practitioners have a special hope that more people can be made aware and show concern for Falun Gong and work together to end this catastrophe.

When the trolley stops at the station on Bruna Street, many passengers see the banners hung on the wall across the street. On the banners are photos of practitioners doing sitting meditation, three words Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in Chinese, photos of practitioners subjected to torture imposed upon them by the Chinese Communist agents, and messages which read, "CCP harvests organs from living Falun Gong practitioners, please help end the genocide against Falun Gong practitioners." Some passengers were drawn by the practitioners' peaceful exercise demonstration. They took informational newspapers, hoping to learn more about Falun Gong.

We want to help stop the persecution

An elderly lady whose eyesight was poor listened to Aleardo explain to her about Falun Gong and the persecution. She asked how she could help, Aleardo read the content of the petition to her, she then signed her name on the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

Passersby sign the petition to call for an end to the persecution

Some passersby read the messages on the banners and see the practitioners' exercise demonstration, then walk toward the signature collection table and sign the petition to call for an end to the persecution. Sophie, a university student whose major is law said that she thinks the persecution of Falun Gong is wrong, and it's unfair that the CCP forbids people to live their lives in their own way.

That same afternoon, practitioners rallied opposite the Chinese Consulate in Zurich. They held banners reading, "Falun Dafa is good," "Stop the persecution of Falun Gong," and "Only when the CCP goes, will the persecution end." The practitioners spoke in German about the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong endangering the entire society.

Practitioner Erich hopes that the consulate staff can be brave enough to say no to the CCP, no longer help the CCP in the persecution of Falun Gong, quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations, and make a wise decision that will bring them good fortune.

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical, mental, and spiritual health, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, have been undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practised by over 100 million people in 60 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Since the start of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.