Patrik told a practitioner, “I am deeply encouraged. I can feel your conviction and unity working together for a goal. I want to support you from my heart; I want to offer my help.”While chatting with practitioners, he learned that over the past 25 years, practitioners all over the world have helped people understand what Falun Gong is all about and the efforts to stop the persecution through various peaceful means. He said, “I guess this is why I stopped here. I am happy to see your activities and give you my support.”

“This parade is really beautiful! Energetic, colorful and positive,” Anna, who lives in Łódź, told her friend Magdalenafrom Warsaw. “I feel refreshed and want to know more.”Magdalena watched the parade with great interest and said, “I don’t know much about Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong), and I still need to understand it, but the words ‘Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance’ written on that boat are very important today. If we can all live according to these principles, our society, communities and neighborhoods will be better and better, and there will be less trouble.”

The statement concludes, “We, the undersigned, therefore call on the Chinese government to respect international norms and the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, such as China have signed, and to immediately end the 25-year persecution of Falun Gong in China, as well as to unconditionally release all imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience.”

Gabriela is a pharmacist who is working at a pharmaceutical company. Gabriela said, “I know Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance is very good and also very important to humankind and every person. Absolutely important!” She said she hopes to learn Falun Gong at an exercise site as soon as possible.

Baroness Cox wrote, “Rest assured that I stand with you in calling on the Chinese Communist Party to end their persecution of Falun Gong. No government should be killing any of their citizens merely because of their faith. This is unacceptable in today’s world.”

Damian said that he’s seen practitioners many times when he was passing by their display on Republic Street and knew about Falun Dafa. This time he wanted to give his signature to stop the persecution.He talked to practitioners about the values they believe in and agreed with the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. He said the only way to save the planet is compassion.

Åsa and her son both agreed with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They thanked practitioners for the efforts since they said they were not aware of this important information. There is hardly any coverage on this on Swedish television or newspapers. Åsa said she would tell her friends about it.

Edward, a tourist from Canada, had already heard about Falun Gong. He said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are the principles of Falun Dafa cultivation. They have been passed down for thousands of years. Forbearance is endurance and tolerance and it is a great virtue.” Dawba, a medical student, said that the persecution was inhumane. “Whatever a person’s belief or practice, it is their personal choice. The persecution should be stopped. These practitioners’ beliefs are very noble, and the principles they follow are very important.”

Senator Cinzia Pellegrino, member of the Italian Senate Human Rights Committee and EU Policy Commissioner, spoke at the event and expressed her support for the event and encouraged practitioners to continue their efforts to bring an end to the persecution.The senator encouraged practitioners: “Persist, because everyone can make a difference. As long as we persevere, more people will get involved, and eventually the Chinese Communist regime will have to listen to our opinions and demands.”

“I like the words on your shirt,” Hannah said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are universal, core values. I think the practice should be good for health. It’s worth trying.” Jessica and her friend Cinva signed up for the workshop after reading introductory flyers. They said they had been looking for a way to bring peace to their busy lives and work.  

Five local councilors also sent letters. Ireland County Councilor Jim O’Leary wrote, “Just a quick note to confirm my support for the members of Falun Gong to be allowed to practice their beliefs free from persecution and oppression.” Councilor Bill Clear wrote, “I have always supported Falun gong petitions that I come upon wherever I am in the world. Keep up the good work.” 

In the afternoon of May 12th and the morning of May 13th, practitioners held a motorcade parade around the island to celebrate. With the assistance of the local police station and transportation department, police cars cleared the way and the parade set off from American Memorial Park. It passed through important areas such as Beach Road, Cornerstone Christian Church, Saipan International Airport, Northern Marianas College, and Paupau Beach. The motorcade parade lasted about an hour and a half.  

In his speech, Peter Osuský, a former long-serving member of the National Assembly of the Slovak Republic, said that he is deeply convinced that people who profess principles of truth, compassion and tolerance deserve the support of every decent person.He stressed that it was tragic that these good people, in the very birthplace of their spiritual practice, were being persecuted, imprisoned, and having their organs forcibly harvested: “This is something that a democratic and civilized world cannot put up with. This is despite the fact that these crimes are being committed by a regime whose country has a high gross national income. That regime is criminal, and not only the Falun Dafa movement knows this, but the Tibetans, and the members of the underground Catholic Church, will also give this testimony,” he said.