Finland: Rally and March in Helsinki Mark 26-Year-Long Effort to End the Persecution

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a rally and a peaceful march in Helsinki on July 5, 2025, demanding that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) stop persecuting Falun Dafa, a peaceful mind-body cultivation practice. Many passers-by, including local residents and tourists, expressed their support.

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises in an open space near Kamppi Square before the event started. Many people stopped to watch and asked for more information about Falun Dafa.

On July 5, 2025, Dafa practitioners do the exercises and introduce Falun Dafa near Kamppi Square, Helsinki.

People sign a petition to express their support for practitioners’ effort to expose the persecution.

Practitioners held a rally at Kamppi Square at 1 p.m. to expose the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa that has gone on for 26 years, especially the systematic organ harvesting from living practitioners, incarcerated for their belief.

Director of the Finnish Falun Dafa Association: We oppose the CCP’s Crimes, not China

Sinikka Suotakanen, director of the Finnish Falun Dafa Association, spoke at the rally. “Falun Dafa brings many physical and mental benefits to people who practice the exercises,” Ms. Suotakanen said. “The practice has been widely spread in China, attracting millions of practitioners, which eventually led to the suppression and persecution by the Chinese Communist regime. This brutal suppression has lasted for 26 years and is still going on.”

Finnish singer Anna Kokkonen sings to support Falun Dafa practitioners in their efforts to end the persecution.

Sinikka Suotakanen, director of the Finnish Falun Dafa Association, speaks at the rally.

Ms. Suotakanen said that millions of Falun Dafa practitioners have been illegally detained, beaten, and tortured in China for upholding their belief. She emphasized that practitioners are not against China, but against the crimes committed by the Chinese Communist Party. “We do not accept evil and injustice, but we will firmly and peacefully defend the truth based on the principles of Truth, Compassion and Tolerance.”

Practitioner Couple Persecuted

Mr. Wu and his wife Ms. Zhu addressed the rally and recounted the brutal persecution their family endured in China. Wu’s mother was sentenced to seven years in prison and died after she was tortured in 2006 at the age of 70. His younger sister was jailed in brainwashing institutions three times, and his aunt died of torture in 2004 at the age of 65. In addition, his older brother was illegally sentenced to eight years in prison, and his wife, Ms. Zhu, was also illegally sentenced to ten years in a forced labor camp.

The couple finally reunited after 11 years of separation with the help of the Finnish government. “I am grateful for the humanitarian assistance provided by the Finnish government,” Mr. Wu said.

Wu appealed to people throughout the world to lend a hand and stop this crime against humanity as soon as possible.

Peaceful March Calls Attention to the Persecution

The peaceful march began after the rally. The procession started from the Kamppi shopping mall, passed Mannerheimintie, Helsinki’s main road, the famous shopping mall Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki Cathedral, City Hall, Pohjoisesplanadi Park and other city landmarks, and ended in front of the Finnish Parliament Building.

The practitioners' march started from the Kamppi shopping mall, passed by several city landmarks, and ended in front of the Finnish Parliament, attracting the attention and support of many passers-by.

Finnish People Encourage Practitioners

At the information booth at Kamppi Square, people signed a petition to express their support for Falun Dafa after seeing the portraits of practitioners who were persecuted to death.

Noa said when she visited China she needed to use a VPN to access her social media accounts. “Chinese culture is very beautiful. It is a very beautiful country with beautiful buildings, kind people and wonderful culture. But the Chinese government is very bad. You are doing very well!” she told practitioners.

Three young people talked with practitioners. One said, “[Forced organ harvesting] in China is too crazy. I didn’t know it was so serious.”

Elina and Fredrik rode by on their bicycles and stopped to sign in support of human rights in China. Fredrik had words of encouragement for practitioners who are still in China, and said, “Persevere and stay strong! Don’t give up in the face of suppression and high pressure. Be brave. Everyone is waiting for a better world.”

Tourists Express Support

A woman from Maine, in the U.S., watched the parade. She listened carefully as practitioners told her about the persecution and was shocked at the brutality, but said she felt encouraged because some American politicians are working to pass legislation to prevent people from going to China for organ transplants. “I will keep you in my prayers,” she said.

Sarah and Jim from Stockholm also watched the parade. Sarah said she saw many people practicing Falun Dafa in Humlegården Park in Stockholm. When they heard about the CCP’s crime of live organ harvesting, they both said they strongly opposed people going to China for “transplant tourism.” They said people should be informed about the situation in China so they won’t go there for organ transplants.