Copenhagen: Press Conference and Parade Ends at Danish Parliament

On Monday September 23rd, Falun Dafa practitioners held a press conference and parade in the city hall square of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. The press conference was attended by Danish media and featured speeches by dignitaries such as former Danish Parliament member Viggo Fischer and Lord Francis Thurlow. Speeches were also given by Australian mother Dai Zhizen, whose husband was tortured to death by the Chinese regime, Zhao Ming, who suffered two years of brutal persecution in Chinese labour camps, and Co-Chairman of the European Dafa Association Peter Jauhal. Each speaker exposed the appalling and inhumane nature of Jiang Zemin's three years of persecution from a different perspective, providing the many listeners with a comprehensive picture of both the atrocities happening in China today and the infiltration of the Chinese regime's terror tactics into a free and democratic European society.

Before the press conference, practitioners performed Falun Gong exercises in the Square. Many passers-by were happy to receive leaflets and learn more about the graceful exercises that they could see on the square. After reflecting on the beautiful nature of the practice they were surprised and disturbed to learn from practitioners about the vicious suppression of over 100 million innocent Chinese people. Those who did not have an opportunity to talk with practitioners still witnessed the stark contrast between the beautiful and colourful Falun Dafa banners and the strong photographic evidence of torture and physical violence against practitioners in Chinese detention centres. Information was distributed in Danish, English and Chinese during the exercises, press conference and parade. Two female police officers told a practitioner of their dismay and horror that people could be brainwashed, tortured and murdered for wanting to practise exercises and become better people. Another elderly man asked what non-practitioners could do to help bring an end to this persecution as soon as possible.

The parade moved through the sceníc and lively city of Copenhagen as traffic was halted by local police officers. The parade was headed by three practitioners with beautiful hand-made banners displaying the fundamental principles of Falun Dafa: Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance. They were followed by ladies dressed in white and carrying pictures of practitioners whose lives have been taken because they want to follow these three principles. Following this came practitioners carrying banners or just peacefully walking, many dressed in yellow tops which had written on them: "Falun Dafa, Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance." . The whole parade was accompanied by beautiful music composed by practitioners and many people were pleased to receive flyers so that they could learn the truth about Falun Dafa. Many shopowners and customers left the shops and came out into the street to receive information and watch the beautiful and peaceful procession.

The parade ended outside of the Danish parliament building where practitioners presented a letter to the Danish Prome Minister requesting the Danish government, President country of the European Union, to use their power and influence to put pressure on the Chinese authorities to end their vicious reign of terror. This event coincided with the Asia-Europe Summit meeting which sees government delegates from ten Asian countries, including China, travelling to Denmark to meet with representatives from fifteen European countries. Practitioners also hoped that the Danish authorities can think carefully about their recent decision to bow to pressure from the Chinese Embassy by revoking Falun Gong's invitation to take part in "Asian Comments", the Asia-Europe Summit's cultural festival. The Danish parliament building is actually a tourist attraction and was visited by two coachloads of Chinese holidaymakers whilst practitioners were present. They were shocked and surprised to see so many members of a practice that they believed to be banned, peacefully appealing to the Danish government. Although these Chinese tourists were scared to accept material from practitioners due to the threat of persecution from their own government, many of them did quietly accept the materials and quickly pocketed them so that they could learn the truth about falun Dafa when they are alone.