Verona, Italy: Raising Awareness of the Persecution in China During the Sino-Italian Business Dialogue Forum

(Minghui.org) The Sino-Italian Business Dialogue Forum was held on April 11 and 12 between Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani and Chinese delegates. Falun Dafa practitioners held informational events in the northern Italian city of Verona to tell people about the ongoing persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Vito Comencini, a former Member of Italian Parliament (MP), came to the event to support practitioners. 

Practitioners’ informational event on April 11 was held near the Verona Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater built in 30 AD. The historic site is now a large-scale opera venue, and attracts tourists from around the world. Because of its proximity to Juliet’s House named after William Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet,” many young people visit it including high school students. 

The event started at Piazza Bra in Old Town, the largest square in the city. When they saw the banners, “Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong” and “Falun Dafa Is Good”, many people approached for materials. Some talked with practitioners and asked for more information on the 25-year-long brutality in China. 

Practitioners displayed banners during the event at Piazza Bra in Verona’s Old Town on April 11, 2024

Former Italian MP

During the business dialogue forum, former Member of Parliament Vito Comencini also came and gave a speech. “I’ve come to lend my solidarity with those who oppose and denounce the forced removal of organs and the illegal trafficking of organs in China. I had the pleasure of meeting them in Rome when I was a member for the Chamber of Deputies,” he explained. “I understand and appreciate the important battle for civility and freedom that they are waging. That’s why I decided to come here today to Verona, my city, in solidarity.”

Former Member of Parliament Vito Comencini attends the event 

“I hope that the institutions and the press will give them visibility, giving them the opportunity to denounce [this] and make their voices heard, and help all the Chinese who want their freedoms, traditions, and their values protected. They want to rediscover their country,” Comencini added. “So thank you practitioners and all those who fight for this good cause.”

Giulio Terzi, Member of Parliament and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, also posted on X (Twitter) reminding people about the suppression of Falun Dafa in China. 

Many young people who walked by the event were curious about what was going on. After talking with practitioners, they understood what Falun Dafa is and how badly practitioners are mistreated in China for their belief. They thanked practitioners and accepted materials. 

Two men asked very detailed questions about the persecution. After one practitioner answered them, they were very thankful and took materials. 

“These Materials Came at the Right Time!”

Many people signed petitions urging to end the brutality in China. One told a practitioner, “I’ve been looking for this. These materials came at the right time! Thank you,” she said. 

Tourists talk with practitioners about Falun Dafa. 

A man learning the exercises

A young couple watched as practitioners demonstrated the exercises and asked many questions. A practitioner explained how she benefited from the practice by applying the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in her daily life. The couple could not understand why such a peaceful practice was suppressed in China. The man was shocked by the torture practitioners in China suffered for their belief, especially forced organ harvesting. He was interested in the practice and said he would read the information online and learn the exercises. 

Chinese delegates came to Verona Fiera on April 12, and practitioners held another information event outside the venue to raise awareness of the persecution in China. 

Practitioners displayed banners outside Verona Fiera on April 12, 2024

Some politicians and VIPs stopped to talk with practitioners, and they were happy to receive information about Falun Dafa. Some news media staff members also asked questions and wanted an update on the situation in China. 

That same day, practitioners from the Falun Dafa Association in Italy visited the Human Rights General Office in Rome. Practitioners explained Falun Dafa’s benefits on mind and body for practitioners as well as the society in general. They hope the 25-year-long persecution will ends soon so that more people may benefit from the practice.