(Minghui.org) China Year 2012 was held in Cologne, Germany, to mark the 25^th year of Cologne and Beijing's “Sister Cities” relationship. Local Germans and Chinese were invited to participate.

Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in front of Cologne Railway Station next to the cathedral on September 15, 2012. The practitioners wanted to raise awareness about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The European Divine Land Marching Band performed at the event.

 
An international human rights organization council member urged concern for the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners

 
Ms. Brigit from Amnesty International called for the rescue of the wife and daughter of Falun Gong practitioner Qin Yueming, who was tortured to death in China

 
Mr. Guo Jufeng talked about being persecuted in China. All 12 Falun Gong practitioners he knew on the display board lost their lives due to the persecution

 
Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Liu Wei told of her experience of being imprisoned for nearly 18 months

 
Dr. Xu Pei, a famous poet living in Germany, spoke at the rally

 
Mr. Zhu Zhenhe, professor of physics, also the author of A Critique of Marxism

 
Mr. Xi Haiming, Inner Mongolia People's Party Chairman, personally verified how the CCP persecutes its own people

 
The European Divine Land Marching Band demonstrates the Falun Gong exercises

 
People stop to sign a petition to support Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to end the persecution

 
Viewing displays that depict the persecution of Falun Gong

German human rights organizations, Falun Gong practitioners who have been persecuted in China, and other organizations and individuals were also invited to speak at the rally. They told of the CCP's brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other groups and individuals in China.

The European Divine Land Marching Band played several classical pieces and demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises. Many citizens and tourists stopped to observe the activities. Many people were appalled to learn that such a peaceful practice has been persecuted by the CCP for more than 13 years and that the persecution is still ongoing.

Practitioners passed out informational flyers to passersby. Many Germans learned the facts and signed a petition to call for an end to the ongoing persecution. Many Chinese who came to take part in the festival or were just visiting Cologne also stopped to view the displays or speak with practitioners. About 30 Chinese declared their resignations from the CCP and its organizations that same day.

A German and his Korean wife were impressed by the practitioners' exercise demonstration and had a long conversation with a practitioner to learn about Falun Gong. They felt this was genuine Chinese culture and also the most memorable thing at this festival.

Local TV station WDR and a local newspaper covered the event.