(Clearwisdom.net, February 22, 2004) Falun Dafa practitioners from around Finland gathered in the city of Jyv skyl on the weekend of February 14 through 15, 2004, to study the Fa [to read the books of Falun Gong] together and share experiences about their cultivation practice. This was also a precious opportunity to let the people know about Falun Dafa and about the persecution that is taking place in China. It was also a chance to inform people of the recent incidents in Paris, where practitioners were unlawfully arrested due to pressure from the Chinese authorities. Practitioners felt strongly the importance of clarifying the facts to the people, because the entire persecution is based on lies that have even deceived people in Finland. Even democratic countries' governments can be misled by Jiang's lies if they are not clear about the facts.
Exercise demonstrations and information boards attracted people on this busy Saturday in the city, and many stopped to watch and read more about the persecution and the recent Paris events. People showed their support and sympathy for practitioners in China. Many found it difficult to believe that something as peaceful as Falun Dafa could be persecuted. When practitioners clarified the facts about Jiang Zemin and what he has done in China-- how he launched cruel and brutal persecution out of his personal fear and jealousy against 100 million Chinese people--people understood and signed the petition right away. Many were greatly astonished by the fact that Jiang's followers exert pressure and spread their hate propaganda in other countries too. The pressure put on the French police clearly indicates how the persecutors of Falun Gong are afraid of the truth being revealed. Many people stopped to talk with practitioners for a long time, took more material and wished us good luck. Practitioners felt that people were even more clear about the facts of the persecution and the peaceful nature of Falun Dafa.