(Clearwisdom.net) An old Chinese saying goes, "On festive occasions more than ever one thinks of one's dear ones far away." On September 18, 2005, under the clear autumn sky, the air was crisp and the sun was shining. Falun Gong practitioners in Paris held a benefit performance and signature-gathering activity in the renowned Human Rights Square in Paris to draw support for rescuing orphans of Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted to death in China, and to express overseas Falun Gong practitioners' greetings and best wishes to the practitioners in Mainland China. By doing so, they hoped to put an end to this brutal persecution.
  Dancing |
  Flute playing |
As tourists from all over the world came to the plaza in droves, our activities drew much attention amidst the hustle and bustle. Many tourists listened to flute recitals, watched a "Fairy Dance" and singing performances, as well as demonstrations of the Falun Gong exercises. Many stopped to appreciate our performances.
  Exercise demonstration |
Falun Gong practitioners took advantage of this opportunity to display the magnificence of Falun Gong to the public with artistic performances, and to expose the inhumane persecution against good people who believe in "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance" that has now lasted for six years. Not only has this persecution led to the death of nearly three thousand practitioners, but it also has caused many children to become homeless, be forced to drop out of school and even become orphans.
  Signing to oppose the persecution |
  Signing to oppose the persecution |
  Signing to oppose the persecution |
Upon learning that the objective of the benefit performance was to rescue the innocent orphans of Falun Gong practitioners persecuted to death in China, many people asked for more information and signed the petition to support Falun Gong. Many children also signed their names on the petition in a sincere manner after hearing explanations from their parents. In the meantime, many tourists, including children, folded paper lotus flowers together with Falun Gong practitioners to express their wishes that Falun Gong practitioners would regain their freedom of belief.
A Chinese man who works overseas said, "We can't find out anything in China. This is the first time that I have come to understand Falun Gong." Later on, he talked to Falun Gong practitioners for over an hour. An overseas Chinese person who has lived in France for over twenty years also watched our performances for several hours. After learning that our campaign was for the rescue of Falun Gong orphans, one French person suggested that we explain the facts of Falun Gong to more French organizations for children so as to get more support. A French boy asked, "I am a Buddhist, and I heard that Falun Gong is very good. Can I be a practitioner as well?" One woman started to learn the exercises on the spot upon seeing our demonstration.
At the end of the event, an original song written by practitioners entitled, "Coming for You" was sung earnestly with heartfelt feeling to convey the hopes of Falun Gong practitioners: In order to help people understand the facts of the persecution against Falun Gong and realize that Falun Gong is good, we are willing to come for you from afar time and again.
http://clearharmony.net/articles/200509/28933.html
