(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners gathered at Mile End Park in East London on March 24, 2024 and did the Dafa exercises together. Many passersby stopped to watch, drawn by the sight of so many people quietly meditating. Some said they were surprised to see how practitioners were able to stay focused while meditating in such a bustling metropolitan area. Many expressed an interest in learning the Falun Dafa exercises to improve their physical and mental fitness. 

Mile End Park is located next to Queen Mary University of London and the Mile End Tube Station. It’s also close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where the West Ham United Football Club is located. Many Chinese people live in this densely populated area. 

Practitioners started off by meditating at 8 a.m., and later studied the Falun Dafa teachings together in a classroom at Queen Mary University. At noon they did the Falun Dafa exercises by a pond in Mile End Park. Many university faculty, staff and students, and local residents stopped to watch the practitioners as they did the exercises and some took pictures. 

Falun Dafa practitioners demonstrate the exercises at Mile End Park in East London on March 24, 2024. 

Yoga Coach: You’re Like Angels 

Debbie was on her way to her mother’s home with her daughter. After a practitioner handed them some Falun Dafa fliers, Debbie said she was interested in learning the practice. She taught yoga for years, and said that Falun Dafa’s slow and gentle movements could suit people of all ages. She was also pleasantly surprised to hear that the teachings are free. “You’re like angels!,” she said. “I’m very interested. Today is my mother’s birthday, and I will tell her this good news.” 

Debbie (left) and her daughter

A woman took photos of practitioners as they did the exercises and said that she envied them for being able to stay so serene and peaceful. She said she wanted to learn to relax and feel peaceful like they do. 

Persecution Is Unacceptable 

A veterinarian who traveled to China said he previously talked to Falun Dafa practitioners in Chinatown and near the Chinese Embassy in London. He said that Beijing’s persecution of Falun Dafa is unacceptable. “I like China,” he said, “but I in fact do not like the [Chinese] regime. What happened to this world? It’s filled with demonic catastrophe. [The Chinese Communist Party] should let people freely choose their lifestyle, and follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.” 

Ben from Germany told practitioners, “I support your fighting against spiritual persecution. I want to sign [the petition calling to end the persecution].” His friend Arthur also signed the petition, and said he was upset when he learned that the Chinese regime systemically harvests and sells organs from living practitioners who have been incarcerated for their belief. The two said that they would definitely learn the exercises from local practitioners when they returned to Germany. 

Ben (middle) from Germany and his friend sign the petition urging the Chinese regime to end the persecution of Falun Dafa. 

Glad to Be a Falun Dafa Practitioner

Magda from Poland said that she felt great and energetic after she began to practice Falun Dafa, “Everyone is kind and caring,” she said. “I am glad to practice Falun Dafa.” Her five-year-old daughter did the exercises along with other young practitioners. She was happy to meet new friends. 

Magda and her daughter 

Magda said that practitioners in England can practice freely, but in China they are heavily persecuted. She hopes that more people will become aware of the ongoing human rights violations in China.