(Clearwisdom.net) On Saturday, January 7, 2006, Finnish practitioners arrived at the pedestrian precinct of downtown Kouvola, a city located in eastern Finland, to promote Falun Gong and clarify the truth. They hoped to bring the wonderfulness of Falun Gong to the people of Kouvola, and to expose the brutal persecution that the Chinese Communist regime has carried out against Falun Gong practitioners over the past six years. The practitioners called upon the general public to help end the persecution.

People enthusiastically sign their names to support the anti-persecution petition

Although it was in the middle of the harsh winter and everything was covered by ice and snow, the sunshine at noon on this particular day was extraordinarily bright, and there was a constant flow of pedestrians in the precinct. Upon seeing the information boards about the truth of Falun Gong, many people stopped to read. A lot of them accepted the truth-clarification materials from the practitioners, and started reading them right away. Some of them walked directly towards the table to sign their names to support the anti-torture petition.

People show concern

A young practitioner hands out truth clarification materials

Two girls were shocked by the brutality of the photos, and they asked who the victims were. After practitioners explained to them that the victims were Falun Gong practitioners cruelly tortured by the police in China, they questioned, "How could this have happened?" After browsing through all of the information boards and gaining a deeper understanding about the situation, they said, "We are not eighteen yet. Can we sign our names?" Practitioners replied, "Yes, of course." They immediately signed their names.

An elderly woman listened to the conversation between the practitioners and the two girls. She commented, "It is truly unimaginable that such things are still happening today!" She also carefully looked at all of the photos and informational materials, and asked for various kinds of truth clarification materials.

This elderly woman shows concern over the persecution

A young girl signs her name to support anti-persecution efforts

The largest local newspaper dispatched two staff members to interview the practitioners and photograph the group exercise demonstration. They read the information boards earnestly as well.

A photographer takes photos of the group exercise demonstration

Many people were attracted by the exhibit. They were enthusiastic in signing their names to support the anti-persecution petition. People inquired as to whether there were any local practice sites in Kouvola, and also questioned why the media in Finland failed to provide news coverage about the persecution.

The practitioners also gathered together to exchange their experiences shortly before the activities were wrapped up. They concluded that a practice site should be established in Kouvola as soon as possible, to meet the needs of the public in learning Falun Gong.