(Clearwisdom.net) April 23, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners
in the United Kingdom went to St Martin's Square in central London
to spread the truth about the practice. The activity was one of
a
series of events that Falun Gong practitioners in the United
Kingdom held to commemorate of the 12th anniversary of
April 25th. Many people had an opportunity to learn
about Falun Gong and the persecution of the practice occurring in
China. People showed their support and appreciation to the Falun
Gong practitioners for their effort.
People celebrating the Easter holiday and St. George's Day gathered in Trafalgar Square on the bright and sunny day. In addition to local Londoners, there were many tourists from around the UK and the world crowding St. Martin Square.
Twelve years ago, practitioners appealed in Beijing for the right to practice Falun Gong. That event brought Falun Gong international attention. Practitioners have continued to clarify the truth ever since by holding activities such as this around the world.
Throughout the day-long activity, many people stopped to observe the exercises demonstration and read the information posters. Some who learned about Falun Gong and the persecution for the first time were shocked and signed the petition right away.
A reporter noticed that many people had learned about Falun Gong through different means. They were moved by the efforts of practitioners peacefully clarifying the truth for such a long time. They encouraged the practitioners to continue to let more people know the truth.
After learning the facts, many did not hesitate to sign the petition to end the persecution.
Mr. and Mrs. Kents, who participated St. George's Day celebrations, signing the petition
Ms. Regina Alan resides in London. She told reporters she lives on the same street as the Chinese Embassy, so she has seen Falun Gong practitioners in front of the embassy protesting every day. She was very pleased to see them in central London.
She said, "I think this [activity] is very good, so that people can understand what really happened. The ordinary person on the street does not know what happened, because the (British) media did not widely report it. I think they (the Chinese Communist Party) are suppressing (Falun Gong). Apparently they do not want people here to know the truth. It was through practitioners peacefully protesting in front of the embassy that I learned the facts. You are doing very well. It’s very important, and you have to do more. You are here doing the exercises. You yourselves are letting people see the truth and peacefully protesting the persecution. People understand it at a glance. "
Twenty-year-old American Patrick Gallagher is a New York college student taking a short course in London. He was very excited to see Falun Gong practitioners doing the exercises. He recorded them on his cell phone. He told the reporter that he had read a lot about Falun Gong and had just completed an essay on Falun Gong in the United States. But this was the first time he had even seen practitioners doing the exercises outdoors. He was very cordial, very excited.
Patrick Gallagher, an American
Asked whether he understood why the CCP is persecuting Falun Gong, Patrick replied confidently that it was out of fear. He said, "I think it is because of fear, fear on the part of the Chinese authorities. It considered Falun Gong a threat because there are so many Falun Gong practitioners. Also, many (former) Communist Party members practice Falun Gong. We did the research and heard about organ harvesting in China. It is a matter of great concern."
Patrick said the persecution of Falun Gong is beyond human imagination. He said, "I had never heard of a large-scale spiritual movement being illegally suppressed before. It shocked me. I could hardly believe it. Especially because I grew up in the United States and firmly believe that freedom of belief is the most fundamental of human rights. On the organ harvesting, I cannot imagine how anyone could do anything like that. That kind of cruel and inhuman behavior is very distressing."
Patrick appreciated the Falun Gong practitioners' activity in St. Martin's Square very much. He said, "I think this is a good way for the public learn the truth. This is a very good location, with large crowds of people and lots of tourists. I believe many of them have never heard of (Falun Gong)."
Diya Chapman is a retired teacher. She told the reporter it was six years ago or maybe longer that she first heard about Falun Gong. One of her friends who used to study in China returned and told her about the the difficult situation of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Speaking of the 12-year, ongoing persecution of Falun Gong, Ms. Chapman said, "I think it is too bad. I think that the Chinese authority is mean. It wants to suppress anyone who it feels might oppose it. But, in fact, Falun Gong does not oppose it at all. Falun Gong is a spiritual movement, is not it?"
Diya Chapman, a retired teacher, already knew the facts about the persecution of Falun Gong.
Ms. Chapman agreed with Falun Gong practitioners clarifying the truth on a busy street in London, because she has been advocating rational expression and peaceful protest all her life. She also said that, while she became disappointed at people in modern society focusing more and more on their own survival and pleasure, as a teacher, she still firmly believes that educating the youth, especially encouraging young people to maintain the courage and ability to distinguish good and evil, right and wrong, is very important. She said, "I have always insisted that it is important to encourage children to say 'no' confidently when they should. Judgments must come from their inner conscience. Isn't being a good person the meaning of life?"
Mr. Francisco Figueira was from Portugal. He is a hotel manager. He had heard of Falun Gong before. He thought practitioners were doing the right thing to help more people, more Chinese people, know the truth. He believes that "people should have freedom of belief and expression.” In particular, he also expressed his hope that the Chinese people could see the truth and understand what’s happening in the world. "In China, do people know what is going on? I suspect that most Chinese people cannot yet. I had a similar experience. That was many, many years ago, when I lived under the regime in Portugal."
Mr. Francisco Figueira from Portugal hoped that more and more Chinese people could see the truth.
As for overseas Chinese and Chinese students that still refuse to believe the truth about Falun Gong, Mr. Figueria said he would suggest that Chinese young people "see more and listen more to understand what’s actually happening in the world. The law here allows for free expression. They should go and see what it is like for others. For instance, see what’s happening in the Arab countries."
From noon to evening, practitioners welcomed people destined to hear the truth about Falun Gong in St. Martin Square. When the bell sounded at 5 p.m., they went to the Chinese Embassy and participated in a candlelight vigil.
