(Clearwisdom.net) On April 24, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners from southern Germany held a series of activities to commemorate "4.25" in Karlsplatz square, Munich.

Five years ago, on April 25, 1999, under great pressure and interference and after being arrested with no place to appeal, Falun Gong practitioners peacefully appealed to the State Department Appeals Office, which is beside the Zhongnanhai government compound. More than ten thousand people stood on the street quietly. After the State Department premier received the representatives and understood the situation he issued instructions. The practitioners arrested in Tianjin were released and matters were solved to everyone's satisfaction; practitioners left quietly and peacefully. This appeal is commonly referred to as "4.25."

"4.25" was a rational, peaceful progressive symbol and has historical significance. The trustful, tolerant, forbearing, self-controlled Falun Gong practitioners surprised the international community. However, on July 20 of the same year, Jiang Zemin suddenly unleashed the persecution of Falun Gong, using the national mass media to slander Falun Gong. The whole world was bombarded with monstrous lies which began the unprecedented brutal persecution of Falun Gong.

Over this five year period, Falun Gong practitioners in China and all over the world have strived untiringly to continuously express the truth of Falun Gong to the Chinese people, as well as people all over the world, hoping everyone can reexamine "4.25." This provides a chance to the Chinese government and its people to understand the true meaning of "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance," and join people in their efforts to stop this brutal persecution based on lies.

The gathering in Munich was not only for commemorating the 5th anniversary of "4.25." Practitioners hung a banner with the words "Bring Jiang, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, and Zhou Yongkang to Justice." Petition forms for people to express their support for "Bringing Jiang to Justice" were placed on the information desk. In front of the information desk, a big display board read, "Please support Falun Gong practitioners in morality and justice; please sign the petition to 'Bring Jiang to Justice'." Petition forms soon ran out since so many people were signing them.

During this period of time, two people raised questions about the Falun symbol, and the policemen who understood the truth actively explained the meaning of the Falun symbol to them. Lots of tourists saw the activity and there was no lack of tourists from China. Many of them took the materials and often took pictures with practitioners posing under the Falun symbol.

Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200404/19315.html