(Minghui.org) A series of petition drives in support of Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) took place in the cities of central and western Slovakia from July 25 to August 1, 2025. Falun Dafa practitioners visited the cities of Banská Bystrica, Ružomberok, Dolný Kubín, Martin, Žilina and Trenčín. They demonstrated the exercises, told people about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and collected signatures on a petition calling to end the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. More than 1,000 people signed the petition.

Petition Signer in Banská Bystrica: Slovakia Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

The series of events began on Friday, July 25, in Banská Bystrica on SNP Square. The weather was sunny and many residents stopped by to learn more about Falun Dafa and sign the petition.

Activities in Banská Bystrica on July 25, 2025

One passerby watched the exercises for a while, signed the petition, and was also interested in finding out where she could learn the exercises in Banská Bystrica.

Rudolf Bahoň, a retiree, said that Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance could also help people in Slovakia. After signing the petition, he remarked, “Empathy is the most important human quality.”

Hana Martoňáková, a health worker who signed the petition, said the persecution of Falun Dafa is wrong. “People should be free to practice the exercises,” she said. “Nobody should forbid them from doing so.”

Hana said of Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, “They are fundamental principles that everyone should follow. Not just a person who practices Falun Dafa. They should be practiced by us in Slovakia as well. And I think it would be nicer for us here.”

Regarding the situation in China, she said, “There will also come a time when they [Falun Dafa practitioners] will be able to do what they do freely.” She concluded by quoting Czech statesman Václav Havel: “Truth and love will triumph over lies and hatred.”

Petition Drives in Ružomberok and Dolný Kubín

The petition drive continued on July 28 in Ružomberok and on July 29 in Dolný Kubín, where people had the opportunity to see practitioners do the Falun Dafa exercises and sign the petition. Despite the event having been met with bad weather in Ružomberok, many people still stopped and talked to practitioners.

In Dolný Kubin, several residents tried out the exercises and took down local practitioners’ contact information. Several residents wished the practitioners success in their activities. One young woman came over to sign the petition and later brought her younger sister to add her signature as well. This was the first time many residents heard about Falun Gong and the persecution, but it did not stop them from supporting the petition. Others took the informational materials home and said they would sign the petition online.

Activities in Dolný Kubín on July 29, 2025

Žilina Signer: “May You Prosper in Your Good Work for Humanity”

On July 30, the petition drive continued in Martin on M. R. Štefánika Street, and then on July 31, it moved to Žilina on Andrej Hlinka Square. The final city was Trenčín on Štúrovo Square on August 1. Residents of these cities also had the opportunity to see practitioners do the exercises and many added their signatures to the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

This was the first time an Indian journalist had heard about the persecution of Falun Gong during the event in Martin. He later stopped by again to interview a practitioner, and posted the interview on his social media pages.

Collecting signatures in Martin on July 30

In Žilina, one gentleman said after signing the petition, “May the spirit of light bless those people to have more courage.”

One woman thanked the practitioners after signing the petition and said, “May you prosper in your good work for humanity.”