Belgium: People Support Falun Gong Practitioners’ Resistance to the Persecution

On July 22, practitioners in Belgium held a series of activities to protest the Chinese Communist Party's 12-year-long persecution of Falun Gong.

Protest in front of the Chinese Embassy

In the drizzling morning, a group of practitioners arrived at the front gate of the Chinese Embassy to the European Union to peacefully protest the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Practitioners demonstrated the exercises to music. Passing motorists honked their car horns or gave a thumbs-up in support of the practitioners.

Ms. Shi, who has practised Falun Gong for 15 years, said, “I believe it’s the power of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance which helps us continue after 12 long years.”

Although the protest activities of practitioners were peaceful, what they expressed was clear. Ms. Shi mentioned that practitioners in China can not practice these exercises freely. They are still being persecuted by the CCP. This injustice must be stopped.

“It is a universal feeling”

After the demonstration in front of the Embassy concluded, practitioners went to the large area in front of the Stock Exchange in downtown Brussels. They introduced Falun Gong and exposed the persecution in China to passersby.

Milana is a professional photographer. She said, “[They are] very peaceful. In fact, I've seen a lot of their demonstrations in the past 10 years.”

Milana continued, “It is difficult to express what I feel, I think it is a universal feeling.”

The Compassionate calling of practitioners

Ms. Pan is a Falun Gong practitioner. She said, “The principles of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance have energy. Disintegrating the CCP and stopping the persecution will inevitably take place. With deceit, wickedness and violence combined, the CCP has brutally persecuted Falun Gong practitioners and contributed greatly to the decline of the moral standard in society.”

She said that although they are being persecuted severely, Falun Gong practitioners are still revealing the persecution with their tireless efforts, clarifying the truth to people, trying to awaken the consciousness of the Chinese people, and helping them quit their Party memberships to ensure their safety.

People offer support

Many people stopped to learn about the practice and show their support of Falun Gong.

Andrew, from Spain, said, “I know they are struggling for human rights. It’s great to let everyone know the truth. In my opinion, human rights is critical.”

Mr. Moulin told practitioners he came on purpose to find them. He said, “I saw the exhibition by Falun Gong practitioners in Royal Park yesterday, the National Day of Belgium. I greatly appreciated it.

Mr. Moulin said gladly, “I saw the Falun Gong exercise demonstrations, something that is really needed for Brussels. Today, Falun Gong practitioners performed their meditation here, looking inwards to find their true selves. This is really necessary in this age. However, nowadays, people are so busy every day. Erotic passions are all over TV programs. People have lost their true nature, that’s why I would like to congratulate practitioners.”

He sincerely said to practitioners that he condemned the materialistic regime of communism. He pointed out that Mao worshipped communism, brought great famine to China and accompanied it with the ruin of any kind of spiritual or religious life. The Cultural Revolution was an anti-culture revolution in fact, destroying the wonderful traditional and spiritual life of China.

Regarding the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, Mr. Moulin said, I absolutely oppose the brutal torture. Sadly, this phenomenon frequently occurs in the world. In most circumstances, it is a crackdown on spiritual belief.”

Aurore, from Liege, and Isaline passed by the activity spot. They asked a lot of questions.

Aurore said, “It is horrible that they forbid such a good practice in China. I know this practice can help us find our true selves, gain healthy bodies, make us feel good, cultivate and improve ourselves. To some extent, this (Truth-Compassion-Forbearance) is what we should follow. We should follow such principles.”

Michel Smeesters is a retired electrician. He took part in the human rights torch relay held in Belgium in 2008 and supports Falun Gong practitioners’ resistance of the persecution. Since he often speaks about knowledge of the spiritual side, local newspapers in Belgium call him the “enlightened electrician.”

He came to the activity site to support Falun Gong as always. He pointed out that in this material world, people believe that industry, money and business will bring them happiness. However, real happiness comes from inside our hearts. Only after recognizing this, can we observe the outer world. Unfortunately, things are reversed now, and materialism is eroding everything.

“In this divine age, I believe earth-shaking changes will take place in the world,” Smeesters said. “The world need peace, which comes first from looking inward.”

He also said to Falun Gong practitioners, “I am glad to meet you here. I found you in Royal Park yesterday. It was so nice. I support what you have done!”