Berlin, Germany: Two-day Rally and March Call to End the Persecution of Falun Dafa

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners recently held a series of events in Berlin, on July 15-17. They held marches, rallies, and a peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy, and called on German officials and the international community to pay attention to the human rights abuses. Many officials spoke at the event or wrote letters to support the activities.

As one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the world, Berlin is also a witness to history. Divided into West Germany and East Germany after the World War II, the two halves did not reunite until 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall. To reach out to more members of the community, practitioners had a march in the former West Berlin on July 15 and another one in the former East Germany on July 16.

Practitioners held rallies in Berlin on July 15 and 16, 2022.

Practitioners march in the former West Berlin on July 15

Practitioners held a march in the former East Berlin on July 16

Passersby learn about Falun Dafa and sign a petition to end the persecution.

Universal Values

College professor Matthias Heydenbluth

Matthias Heydenbluth is a college professor and teaches Business Administration and Economics. Having heard about Falun Gong previously, he found practitioners’ march, “Invigorating, fascinating, and pleasant. These principles (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance) are outstanding and are universal values,” he said.

Many people find it hard to imagine the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would suppress such a peaceful group. They feel the brutality, especially forced organ harvesting, is terrible and practitioners need to expose it. “This is definitely important because many people still do not know what is going on,” he added.

Software Developer: Most Peaceful Parade

Software developer Dominik Schneider

Dominik Schneider is a software developer from the Czech Republic and he works in Germany. When he noticed the march near the Berlin Cathedral and the Altes Museum on July 16, he stopped and talked with practitioners. “This is the most peaceful march I have ever seen. And the band performance is great too,” he said.

Although the suppression of Falun Dafa has lasted 23 years, he firmly believed practitioners will succeed if they persevere. He said his parents always said they did not believe the communist regime would collapse in Eastern Europe, but it happened. “Although we cannot predict the future, we can always have hope and move forward,” he explained.

Mr. Schneider said that this was the first time he’s heard about Falun Dafa. He praised practitioners for their efforts.

Shocking Brutality

Gamid Salifoch said he liked the practitioners’ march.

Gamid Salifoch, who works in tourism, stood for a long time watching the practitioners’ march. “It is peaceful, colorful, and happy. Very impressive!” he said.

He was shocked to hear how practitioners are tortured and killed by the CCP. “This is terrible and unethical,” he said, “We are are living in 2022, not 1200.” He said it is important for practitioners to have more events like this so that Western countries can pay attention to this important issue. “Let’s work on it together,” he added.

Dutch Teacher: Sharing the Information with Others

Frouke Riddersam from the Netherlands teaches sociology. She said she knew some other groups were suppressed in China, but this is the first time she heard about Falun Dafa. Impressed by the colorful parade and practitioners’ peaceful demeanor, she said she could feel positive energy and really liked the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Referring to the 23-year-long persecution in China, she said, “It is absolutely dreadful for people to suffer so much just for their belief. Everyone should have the freedom to practice his or her faith.”

Events like this are very important to get the message out. Ms. Riddersam said she would share the information with her friends. “I will tell more people about it so that the tragedy can stop,” she said.

Quitting the CCP

One woman and her friends talked with practitioners near the Brandenburg Gate. She was glad to hear about Falun Dafa and offered to give practitioners money. A practitioner thanked her and declined, as all practitioners are volunteers. The woman was touched. “This is the first time in my life that I wanted to make a donation, but was refused,” she said. “I have to look into Falun Dafa.”

A Chinese woman and her child also talked with practitioners. She said the belief system she had was also suppressed in China. A practitioner said, “The CCP opposes any religion. So, we should not devote our lives to the CCP as we swore to do when we joined its organizations.” The woman agreed to quit the Young League that she joined as a child.