(Clearwisdom.net) On November 24, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived at Gran Canaria Island, Spain for a state visit. Because the Chinese delegation was quite large, The Gran Canaria Police Department employed strict security measures.

Falun Gong practitioners in Gran Canaria learned about the news a day before the visit. They immediately informed each other through phone calls and planned to hold an appeal in front of the hotel where the Chinese delegation would stay the next day.

At 9 a.m., November 24, practitioners wearing yellow shirts imprinted with the words, "Falun Dafa" went to the hotel and unfurled banners with words in both English and Chinese -- "Falun Dafa," "Truthfulness -- Compassion -- Tolerance," and "Great Cultivation Way of Falun Dafa."

When the practitioners arrived at the hotel, a group of police officers were already there waiting for them. The police officers have already learned about Falun Dafa and the persecution facts in a number of previous activities. This time, they were extremely worried about the practitioners' safety. Upon seeing the practitioners, they immediately asked, "Did you know about the violent incident that occurred in Argentina? We will not allow such kinds of things to happen here!" The police let the practitioners stay in a designated spot close to the hotel. People in the hotel could clearly see the practitioners' banners and their peaceful appeal. Seven police officers stood behind the practitioners and protected them.

A number of things happening during the appeal that are worth mentioning here. When the Chinese delegation noticed the Falun Gong practitioners' appeal, a group of Chinese people holding red and green Chinese flags stared fiercely at the practitioners. Two of them attempted to walk toward them. Three police officers blocked their way and prevented them from getting close. Shortly after, when a Chinese man attempted to approach the practitioners and take pictures of them, he was also blocked by the police. The police demanded in a stern voice that he stay away from the appeal site.

The Chinese agents parked a huge tour bus in front of the practitioners so as to block them from the view of the delegation. Upon seeing this, the practitioners tried to avoid being blocked by the bus. However, when they moved to the left, the bus also moved forward, when practitioners shifted to the right, the bus moved backwards in an attempt to block their peaceful appeal. Later, the police were really unable to tolerate this kind of "bus game," so they sandwiched the bus by parking two police vehicles, one in front and one behind the bus. Thus, the bus was unable to interfere with the practitioners' appeal.

An elderly gentleman who passed by the scene saw the whole episode and said, "What they are doing is really ridiculous. If there is nothing fishy in their hearts, why would they deliberately block you when they are clearly aware that you are here?"

Falun Gong practitioners felt that the day was very meaningful. They did not only hold an appeal during the visit of the Chinese delegation led by Chinese President Hu Jintao, but they also allowed more people to get the chance to learn about the facts of Falun Dafa. A local TV station interviewed practitioners and reported on their appeal. A local government official showed great interest in learning about Falun Dafa and the persecution in China. He asked practitioners many questions. During the entire activity, practitioners constantly sent forth righteous thoughts, demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, handed out flyers and explained the facts to passers-by.

At 3 p.m., the Chinese delegation left the hotel. The practitioners also concluded their appeal. Before they left, they expressed their gratitude to the police officers. The police also thanked the practitioners for their serenity, friendliness and their peaceful behavior. They also said, "Your activity may make some Chinese government officials on the island feel unhappy, but don't worry, if you feel or experience any interference from them in any of your future activities, please immediately inform us. We will take any effective actions to help you."