Greece: People Encourage Practitioners at Event Marking 25 Years of Persecution

(Minghui.org) On July 13, 14, and 20, 2024, practitioners held activities to tell people about Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) and how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has persecuted the spiritual practice for 25 years. The events were held on Thissio St., a commercial street near the Acropolis in Athens.

Despite the hot weather in southern Europe, practitioners demonstrated the exercises and handed out flyers. They called on the public to condemn and help end the CCP’s persecution.

Practitioners in Greece held events to tell people about the persecution.

Falun Gong practitioners and the Greek representative of DAFOH (Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting) spoke at the event.

Mr. George Tzokas, a representative of Falun Gong practitioners, introduced Falun Gong to the public, and explained why former CCP leader Jiang Zemin launched the brutal persecution on July 20, 1999. He also said some international organizations, legislators in some countries, including the European Union (EU), and the U.S., have condemned the persecution of Falun Gong over the years.

On behalf of Falun Gong practitioners in Greece he called on the CCP to immediately stop the persecution and release all detained practitioners.

Ms. Efi Gana, the Greek representative of DAFOH, also spoke, and described the CCP’s systematic forced organ harvesting which targets practitioners. She discussed the legislation passed by the EU and the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024, which condemns the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and places sanctions on individuals involved in the CCP’s organ harvesting crimes targeting Falun Gong practitioners.

Residents and tourists sign the petition to call for an end to the CCP’s forced organ harvesting.

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Are the Basic Qualities of Human Beings

It was the first time Jaha, a Greek resident, heard about Falun Dafa. He read the three principles of practice—Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and said, “Yes, it is good. It seems something that everyone should have.

“These are basic things for a human being, so we can have healthy relationships, and strong moral characters. It’s really awful that the CCP persecutes practitioners. Is there anything I can do to help?”

A practitioner told him he could sign a petition against the CCP’s forced organ harvesting, and Jaha signed.

Jaha believes that what’s worse is that people don’t know such evil things are happening. The practitioner told him that’s because there is little media coverage.

Jaha said, “I hope you quickly achieve your mission.”

Two young people with Jaha, were under eighteen and unable to sign the petition, but they accepted flyers and wished practitioners luck.

Chinese Tourist Praises Falun Gong

A lady from Shanghai, China, was delighted to see the practitioners’ event and took a flyer to learn more about the current situation of Falun Gong. She told practitioners there used to be many practice sites in Shanghai, and she practiced with her father, and knew that Falun Gong is good.

After the CCP began persecuting Falun Gong on July 20, 1999, she gradually learned about the persecution. She said her mentor, a university professor and practitioner, became mentally unstable after he was arrested. She suspects he was injected with psychiatric drugs.

Another Chinese person passing by the information booth was greeted by a practitioner who handed him a flyer. After hesitating, he took it and pointed to the flyer, “I know.” He paused briefly and added, “I love my country, not the Party. That’s why I left China. I know how evil the CCP is, so I don’t dare to express my opinion openly.”

The practitioner said, “Then please read our flyers to learn more how Falun Gong is practiced worldwide and the support from people in various countries.” He nodded and said, “Keep it up.”

A Chinese family was visiting Greece and saw the activity. The husband told practitioners, “You work hard.” He explained to his wife and children, “This is an activity by Falun Gong practitioners. They have persisted for many years, which is not easy.” The practitioners gave them exquisite Chinese booklets and flyers, which the man happily accepted, and he reminded the practitioners to take care.

Public Signs Petition to End Forced Organ Harvesting

Mr. and Mrs. Collin from Canada signed the petition.

Upon seeing the English words “Falun Dafa Is Good” on the banner, the Collin couple wanted to donate 50 euros. The practitioners told them they do not accept donations, but they could sign the petition to show their support. They signed the petition, and said that Falun Gong is well-known in Canada. They sympathized with the practitioners persecuted in China and said they hope the persecution ends soon.

Rolet, a young man from India living in Athens, and his friend were very interested in the exercises. They said the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are excellent.

They asked where the nearest practice site was and said they were interested in learning. When they heard that such a peaceful meditation group was persecuted in China and even subjected to forced organ harvesting, both signed the petition and wished the practitioners success in their efforts to end the atrocities.