Italy: Activities In Front of the Chinese Embassy in Milan

Since July 20th 2002, practitioners in Italy have often been to the front of the Chinese embassy in Milan to clarify the truth about Falun Dafa to people. On the railings opposite the embassy, they hung up banners with the words “Falun Dafa is Good”, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” and “Stop the Persecution”, written in both Italian and English. It was very striking. Vehicles driving along the road could see the banners from far away.

In the course of the activity, practitioners encountered all kinds of interference. In the afternoon on July 31st, as Dafa practitioners sat in meditation, the sky became overcast and suddenly it rained heavily with thunder and lightening. During that time, the temperature was very low and their clothes were drenched by the rain. Although everyone was shivering, we still persisted in the rain with steadfast and pure righteous thoughts. Two hours later the rain stopped and the weather turned fine. After that, everyone felt very relaxed.

One afternoon, all of a sudden, 4 police cars came. There were policemen, plain clothes policemen and military police. They had been summoned through a phone call made by the Chinese embassy that was intended to have the effect of chasing the practitioners away. When they understood the situation, the police immediately phoned their superior and told them that Falun Gong practitioners had all along been quietly sitting there without any inappropriate behaviour. A short while later, the police greeted practitioners amicably and then left.

In the embassy, they displayed VCDs and other promotional items defaming Dafa, thus not only poisoning those who have come to the embassy to conduct matters but especially themselves.

During this period of time, many Italians and Chinese passing by the embassy stopped to look and took away truth clarifying materials. Many Italians wanted to learn the exercises and obtain a copy of the video instructions for the exercises and Falun Dafa music. There were people who lived in small districts who came to learn the exercise movements and police on duty who decided to practise Falun Gong, some who had been attracted by the music and had come over to find out what it was all about. There were also some who went to the book shops to buy a copy of Falun Gong [The introductory book to Falun Gong] in Italian after reading our flyer, and they brought it to show practitioners. An Italian doctor was reluctant to leave after seeing our photos. Through conversation, we learnt that he liked traditional Chinese culture a lot. He also wanted to learn the exercises. At the end of the activities, he helped practitioners pack up the banners and pictures and kind-heartedly offered to give them a lift home in his car.

There were also drivers moving on the road that stopped and waved to practitioners, showing their support; shops and residents nearby often greeted us amicably, when it rained, owners of nearby shops even sent waterproof gear to practitioners and invited them to seek shelter from the rain in their shops. Many Chinese asked to read Dafa books when they learnt about the truth and used all kinds of ways to express their concern towards practitioners. They even said, “Falun Dafa is good”. Many people gave a kind smile.

Practitioners took great care not to disturb local residents during the activities. They arranged things neatly, paid attention to hygiene and at the end of every activity, they took the initiative to pick up all rubbish within the area before leaving.

During this period, many people understood the truth of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance”. Even more gratifying was that during this period, the Italian government was implementing a general pardon for illegal immigrants. Hence thousands or even tens of thousands of Chinese came to the embassy to go through related procedures. They came from all parts of Italy. Some even came from other European countries. All of them were fortunate enough to see the words “Falun Dafa is Good” and “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance”, and learnt the truth about the persecution of Dafa practitioners in China.

The purpose of the activities in front of the embassy was to clarify the facts and expose the lies so that more people could understand the truth about Dafa in a clear-minded way, and especially to let the Chinese people know “Falun Dafa is Good”. Those who support “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance” will be blessed with good fortune.

Practitioners feel comforted seeing so many people learning about the truth and having righteous thoughts. We feel ashamed that we have not been able to regard everybody we meet with compassion at all times. We feel remorse that because we could not treat everyone with great compassion at all times, some people missed the chance to obtain the Fa [learn Falun Gong] and learn about the facts.

During this period, TV stations interviewed practitioners and did a very positive and touching report on Falun Dafa.

Translated from Chinese Clear Harmony at http://www.yuanmingeurope.net/articles/200210/13272.html