(Clearwisdom.net, February 23, 2004) During the Chinese New Year in 2004, Falun Gong practitioners from all over the world took part in the Chinese New Year Gala hosted by NTDTV in Paris, followed by a big parade. From January 24 to 26, 2004, sixty-five Falun Gong practitioners were illegally detained by French Police simply because they were wearing yellow scarves or T-shirts or standing together with others who were dressed in yellow. A few French authorities have lost their senses due to the temptation of economic benefits from the Chinese Government. As a result, several Falun Gong practitioners were illegally arrested in Paris.
For the sake of the French people, on February 4, Italian Falun Gong practitioners delivered letters to the French Embassy and Consulates in Milan, Florence and Turin to explain the facts and request the French Authorities to apologize for what they had done to Falun Gong practitioners who were illegally arrested. In Florence, the Consulate General had a meeting with practitioners and expressed that he would let the French Government know about this issue. They also asked practitioners to provide more information on the persecution.
On February 6, Italian Falun Gong practitioners went to the French Embassy in Rome to deliver a letter. The French Embassy is situated in the famous "Fantasia Edifice," one of the most magnificent buildings in Rome. Following the instruction of the police, we displayed a banner opposite the building in the Piazza. The president of the famous human rights group "HANDS OFF CAIN" Mr. Delia and the Vice President Ms. Elizabeth also joined our activities. Many passers-by stopped at our place and asked for more information on Falun Gong. The media also interviewed practitioners. In the end, Mr. Delia and a representative of the Falun Dafa Association delivered a letter to the French Embassy. Unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to meet the Ambassador; however, this was the start of our truth clarification activities but not the end.