(Minghui.org) Practitioners from across Europe gathered in Vienna, Austria on August 4 and 5, 2023 for a series of events, including a parade and rally, to tell people about the persecution of Falun Dafa that is still going on in China.
The events took place in Vienna’s historic Old Town (Innere Stadt). About 7 million tourists visit the World Heritage Site each year.
Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises
A parade was held in Old Town on August 4th. It was led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, followed by practitioners carrying banners with information about Falun Dafa and the persecution, an exercise demonstration team and a float. In the section that exposed the persecution, female practitioners dressed in white (the color of mourning in most Asian countries) held photos of fellow practitioners who were persecuted to death. There was also a demonstration of the CCP’s (Chinese Communist Party) forced organ harvesting that targets practitioners. Other sections of the parade included waist drum, dragon and lion dance performances.
On August 5, practitioners held an Information Day event at Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz. The Tian Guo Marching Band performed several songs, including “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Sacred Song,” and “Master’s Saving Grace.”
The Tian Guo Marching Band performed during the event at Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz on August 5, 2023.
Many people gathered to listen to the Tian Guo Marching Band
The popular dragon dance was featured in the parade
Practitioners demonstrated the exercises on the float
Photos of practitioners who were persecuted to death
One section exposed the forced organ harvesting of practitioners
Falun Dafa Should be Celebrated
Many people stopped to read the information boards and signed a petition to end the persecution during the event at Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz on August 5, 2023
The two-day event attracted both residents and tourists from around the world. Many praised practitioners and said they were doing a great job. They expressed their support for them, and some said that Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance should not be persecuted anywhere, and instead it should be celebrated.
Louis from Mexico was very touched to see the parade. He thanked the practitioners and said that while watching them, he felt strong and positive spiritual strength, and he believes that this strength will one day defeat evil.
A father and his son also liked the parade, and they said the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance should be spread to the entire world and everyone should live by them.
Some Chinese tourists also got information from practitioners and said they would read it carefully. Some agreed to quit the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations after talking with practitioners.
People Condemn the Persecution
Mr. Ding Lebin (right), who now lives in Germany, describes how his parents were persecuted in China
Mr. Ding Lebin spoke at the rally. He said his parents, Mr. Ding Yuande and Ms. Ma Ruimei, both practice Falun Dafa and were arrested in May. Ms. Ma has been released on bail, but she is closely monitored by the police. Mr. Ding remains in custody and is also denied family visits.
Another practitioner, Ms. Liu, said that while she was in China, she was arrested for distributing informational materials about Falun Dafa. She was forced to sit on a small stool for several hours. She was watched by five people and not allowed to move. If she did, they beat her. She said that she was lucky enough to flee China, but millions of practitioners who remain in China face brutal persecution every day.
A man from Germany said he’d heard that many horrific things are taking place in China, but this was the first time he heard about the persecution of Falun Dafa. “This is absolutely terrible!” he exclaimed.
A local resident said, “It’s unbelievable that one would be persecuted just for meditating.” She said it’s wrong to only consider economic interests but overlook human rights while dealing with China.
A couple from London said, “It’s incomprehensible that under the CCP’s rule people are persecuted for believing in universal values such as Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. There is nothing wrong with these principles and everyone should abide by them.”
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