(Minghui.org) Several hundred Falun Gong practitioners gathered in Berlin, Germany on July 30, 2016, to hold a march and rally opposing the ongoing persecution in China. The participants came from Germany and surrounding countries. Many spectators expressed their support for the practitioners' efforts to end the persecution.

Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline rooted in traditional Chinese culture and based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. As the number of people practicing Falun Gong exceeded the membership of the Chinese Communist Party, then-president Jiang Zemin saw Falun Gong's popularity as a threat, and launched a violent campaign to eradicate the group in 1999. Since then, thousands of practitioners have been tortured to death in the persecution, which continues today.

Falun Gong march passes by Berlin Cathedral, led by the practitioners' Divine Land Marching Band.

The march passes through the busy downtown area.

Many people pause to watch the march. Some accept and read flyers about Falun Gong and the persecution in China.

People sign a petition calling to end the persecution after learning of the Chinese regime's killing of Falun Gong practitioners for their organs.

Berlin Resident: “How can human beings do such a thing?”

The procession arrived at the Jannowitzbrücke in front of the Chinese Embassy, where practitioners held a rally. Many pedestrians paused to watch the performance by the Divine Land Marching Band and listen to the speeches.

Berlin resident Lothar Kretzner

Lothar Kretzner, 83, said that forced organ harvesting from living practitioners can happen only in a country that is under totalitarian control. He said indignantly, “How can human beings do such a thing?”

Lothar encouraged practitioners, “Whatever you think is right, you should fight for it.” He said he fully understood what can happen under communist control, as he had lived in the former West Berlin, while his sister lived in East Berlin, the two parts of the city separated by a wall for 28 years. She was not allowed to meet with him before her death.

Tourist: Chinese regime's violence “cannot be tolerated”

Tourist Alexsandra Martius (left) and Bade from Frankfurt, Germany.

Alexsandra Martius from Frankfurt said, “The CCP persecutes human rights and uses violence to control people. This cannot be tolerated.”

Upon learning of the regime's killing of practitioners for their organs, she signed the petition against the persecution and said, “This must be stopped, wherever it happens in the world.”

Persecution of Falun Gong “a disaster”

Barbara Grace Lea Müller, artist.

Artist Barbara Grace Lea Müller said, “I am interested in Chinese culture, including calligraphy and traditional Chinese medicine.” Regarding the Chinese regime's persecution of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, the core principles of Falun Gong, she said, “This is incredible. This is a disaster. So I signed the petition. I hope this call spreads across the world.”

Student: “This Is Important. I Want to Help.”

Undergraduate student Simon Strober and his companion sign the petition against the persecution.

Several undergraduate students from Munich touring Berlin signed the petition against the persecution after learning about the Chinese regime's atrocities. Simon Strober said, “This is an important thing. I want to help.”

Visitor from Beijing Moved by March

Ms. Tao from Beijing was visiting her daughter in Germany. She watched the march and recorded video footage with her phone. She followed the procession to its destination, and shed tears on several occasions. She said, “I am moved. We don't know [about the persecution] in China... so many Falun Gong practitioners...”

The procession passes by Brandenburg Gate.

The large banner carries images and information about the CCP's harvesting of organs from living Falun Gong practitioners. The banner reads, “Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong. Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice.”

Chinese spectators watch the march.

A practitioner told her, “The Chinese Communist Party intentionally destroys traditional Chinese culture. Otherwise, people would believe in the divine, and the Party can't maintain control. That's why it persecutes Falun Gong. The practice is rooted in Chinese traditional culture.”

“I know,” Ms. Tao said. “I came to Germany in 2013 and intended to take a look abroad. Now I know the Communist Party's propaganda are lies and want to deny it in my mind.” She agreed to withdraw her membership from the Communist Youth League.

Related report in Chinese: 华人观看柏林大游行：法轮功真好（图）