(Minghui.org) Many people stopped to watch the parade of over 1400 Falun Dafa practitioners from several European countries that was held in Paris on August 26, 2023. They said the parade conveyed a positive message and that it was different from other parades.
Practitioners held two parades that day. The first departed from the Place de la République and went down the Rue Du Temple, the Boulevard de Sébastopol, the Boulevard Saint-Denis, the Boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle, and the Boulevard Poissonnière to finally arrive at Euronext Paris.
A practitioner sets off firecrackers to signal the start of the first parade on August 26.
The parade wound its way through the center of Paris.
The parade reached Euronext Paris.
Store Owner: It Is Important to Expose the Chinese Communist Party
Corinne Ngotat, the owner of a clothing store, and Tiphaine Galas, a coffee shop owner, said they were pleased to see the parade and thought it was beautiful.
Corinne Ngotat (left) and Tiphaine Galas (right).
Both women said that it was important to expose the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa. They condemned the persecution and signed the petition calling for it to end.
Over the past 24 years, the CCP has not allowed people in China to practice Falun Dafa, whose guiding principles are Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Galas said, “These are universal values but people are not allowed to practice. That is not acceptable.”
Ngotat added, “This is difficult to accept. We don’t understand why the CCP does this. It is sad that such things are happening in modern times.”
People talk to practitioners and learn about Falun Dafa.
People sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution.
Computer programmer Julillet and accountant Carilin signed the petition.
Julillet said that the parade was “Very good and well organized.” “It is quiet, peaceful, and friendly. The participants are smiling, which make people feel positive.”
She criticized the persecution, saying, “They [the CCP] are afraid people will awaken. Goodness and cruelty, patience and violence are opposite concepts. Many regimes are cruel and violent. Wicked people do not accept goodness, so we have to fight against the evil.”
Carilin agreed, “It is important [for practitioners] to fight for their rights. Of course, the evil people want others to give up, but you must not. Although sometimes our numbers are limited, the overall power is infinite.”
Their Voices Should Be Heard
Diep works in an investment company in London and travels to Paris on weekends. He stopped to watch the parade and said, “The parade is very peaceful and beautiful. I saw it as soon as I arrived in Paris and think it is very good. The participants are very positive, passionate, and enthusiastic.”
This is not the first time he’s seen practitioners’ activities. In London’s Chinatown he said he’s seen them distributing leaflets.
Diep signed the petition and said, “The persecution in China is unjust. I read about it. I know that [in China] many people are treated unfairly, so I signed the petition.” He said that he felt that the purpose for the parade was worthwhile. “I know that many people have been affected, so I think the purpose of the parade is good. The CCP’s organ harvesting should be investigated.”
“The CCP is an authoritarian regime,” he said. “There is no freedom of speech and no democracy. One is persecuted just because one voices one’s opinion. The company I work for will not invest in China because of this.”
Diep said it was important to tell people about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa. “Their voices should be heard; they have the right to tell people, to let everyone know what is happening [in China]. I think it is important.”
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