(Minghui.org) Practitioners in Frankfurt gathered at the premier shopping street of Zeil on May 6, 2023 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. Michael Gahler, Member of European Parliament (MEP), attended and spoke at the event. Four other elected officials in the state of Hessen, along with representatives from human rights organizations, also sent greetings congratulating World Falun Dafa Day.

Frankfurt is known as the most important hub in continental Europe, and many people were impressed by the bright color of balloons and banners with the words “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” The exercise demonstration, waist drum performance, and dragon dance also attracted broad attention.

Celebration of World Dafa Day by practitioners in Frankfurt on May 6

Exercise demonstration

Waist drum performance

The dragon dance was well received by passersby.

MEP: Wishing China a Good Future

MEP Michael Gahler spoke at the World Falun Dafa Day celebration.

MEP Michael Gahler first heard about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China in 2005. He has attended numerous practitioner events in recent years to support their freedom of belief.

Based on his observations over the years, Gahler has found that Falun Dafa practitioners are peaceful, kind, and honest. They have had a positive impact on their surroundings and made a great contribution toward a better society.

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are foundations of our society, explained Gahler. He wished practitioners well and said he was worried by the long-time human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Although practitioners are free to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day here, doing the same in China would lead to practitioners’ detention. In the end, Gahler thanked Falun Dafa’s founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, and wished China a good future.

The Importance of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Heiko Kasseckert, Member of Parliament in Hessen

Congratulatory letter from Heiko Kasseckert, Member of Parliament in Hessen

Heiko Kasseckert, Member of Parliament in Hessen, sent a letter congratulating on World Falun Dafa Day. Here is the translation of the letter:

“I would like to send you my best greetings on the occasion of World Falun Dafa Day, which will be celebrated this year in Frankfurt on May 6th. I want to make sure that I thank Falun Gong practitioners around the world for their peaceful activities, and tell them that I respect and support them.

“The values that Li Hongzhi teaches in his cultivation school, Falun Gong, are the values that seem particularly important to us today. Falun Gong practitioners who wish to achieve inner balance, health, and well-being, celebrate this day year after year.

“Since July 1999, Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong) adherents have experienced a brutal persecution campaign against their cultivation -- Falun Gong. They have faced horrifying, gruesome torture and mistreatment --- for nothing else than the demand that they give up their faith, and the values they adhere to.

“This persecution has already killed thousands, and there is still no end in sight. It is an enormous violation of human rights, and a cruel crime against humanity. That is why we too stand up, raise our voices, confess and remember the tortured and dead people. We need to remember the cruel deeds as a sign perpetrating violence and cruelty.

“We wish you all the courage and strength that helps you continue on a peaceful path in the future. We hope that you continue to live by your principles, stay strong in your faith, and maintain your good conscience – and not have to face a persecution any longer. I gladly extend and maintain my support.”

Upright Will Prevail

Karin Müller, Deputy President of the Hessen Parliament, with Matina Feldmayer Member of Hessen Parliament (MHP) and Miriam Dahlke MHP

Joint letter from Karin Müller, deputy president of the Hessen Parliament, with Matina Feldmayer MHP and Miriam Dahlke MHP.

Karin Müller, deputy president of the Hessen Parliament, also wrote a congratulatory letter along with Matina Feldmayer MHP and Miriam Dahlke MHP. Here is the letter translation:

“We convey our sincere greetings to the fully dedicated Falun Gong practitioners in their pursuit of “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance” on the occasion of World Falun Dafa Day, celebrated on May 13. Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend the ceremony on May 6. Thus, we would like to send you our best wishes on this occasion – our congratulatory message.

“We are very saddened by the persecution and violence against Falun Gong practitioners in the People's Republic of China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has no right to persecute these peaceful people -- persecute, arrest and torture these peaceful people.

“As members of the state parliament of the parliamentary group Bündnis 90/Die Grünen Hessen, we express our sincere condolences to all the Falun Dafa practitioners. We all are committed to peaceful coexistence, and our commitment is built on the efforts for human rights, freedom of opinion, and democracy. We stand for peaceful coexistence and trust that efforts for human rights, freedom of expression, and democracy will ultimately prevail over oppression and discrimination.

“We call on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners based on international standards and national law.

“We thank you for your public relations work and your commitment, and wish all the Falun Gong practitioners continued courage and strength, as well as a fulfilling World Falun Dafa Day.”

A Peaceful Meditation System

Hubert Körper from the International Society for Human Rights, spoke at the event.

Hubert Körper, head of the Asian Department and board director of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), praised Falun Dafa for both its benefits of physical improvement and the teachings of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Some people were wondering why the CCP would suppress a peaceful meditation system such as Falun Dafa. Körper said the practice was consistent with traditional Chinese culture. Although it has no political agenda, the CCP could not tolerate its popularity because the regime always wants to control people. Despite the brutal suppression in mainland China, Falun Dafa is well received around the world, including in Taiwan.

A Better Society

Wu Manyang from Asia Vision Foundation

Wu Manyang, a representative from Asia Vision Foundation, thanked Falun Dafa’s founder Mr. Li for introducing the practice to the public. Throughout the persecution in China in the past over two decades, Falun Dafa practitioners have remained calm and rational. This is a great contribution to the peace of our society.

That is why Wu is thankful for Falun Dafa and Mr. Li. He also recommended an article from Mr. Li earlier this year titled “How Humankind Came To Be.”