(Minghui.org) As Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the exercises on Trafalgar Square on a mild Saturday in London, passersby stopped to try them out.

Falun Gong practitioners have been holding activities to introduce the practice and raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution on the weekends for many years on Trafalgar Square.

Practitioners who went to the square on March 7, 2020, did the exercises together, distributed fliers, talked to passersby about the persecution, and collected signatures for six hours.

Falun Gong practitioners practice the exercises and set up posters on Trafalgar Passersby learn about the persecution on March 7, 2020.Passersby watch and imitate a practitioner’s hand gestures.

Though fewer people passed through the square than in recent weeks, quite a few paused to learn about Falun Gong and why the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wants to persecute practitioners.

Practitioners also told people about the CCP’s state-sanctioned organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in China. Many people signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

“A Lot of Energy”

Christine from Lancashire learns Falun Gong from a practitioner on Trafalgar Square on March 7.

“I feel a lot of energy,” said Christine, who had stopped to try the Falun Gong exercises on Trafalgar Square on March 7, 2020.

Christine, who is from Lancashire, was in London on business. She had paused to watch the practitioners’ exercise demonstration and then decided to learn more about Falun Gong. She also tried the five exercises and said, “I feel a lot more relaxed.”

Christine said she used to practice yoga and Falun Gong was what she had been looking for. She signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

People Sign the Petition to Protest the Persecution

Undergraduate students Denis and Marispen sign the petition on March 7.

“I saw they (Falun Gong practitioners) were practicing the exercises,” said Denis, an undergraduate student majoring in physics. “I also read the posters.”

He and another student, Marispen, signed the petition to oppose the persecution. “It is meaningful for us to sign the petition here to support you.” They said they wanted to learn more about Falun Gong and would read more about it online.

Dan from an international school in Sussex listens to a practitioner’s explanation.

Dan had heard about the persecution, but he had not heard about the CCP’s live organ harvesting. He supported practitioners’ efforts: “It is essential for the whole world to learn about Falun Gong.”

Dan said he realized, “Falun Gong is a way of living, a way of looking after yourself.” He said what he saw and experienced was quite different from what he had heard before about Falun Gong.

Dan said he was interested in Falun Gong and would learn about it carefully after going home.

Pat from London signs the petition to protest the persecution.

After Pat and her two grandsons, Conor and Magen, read the posters, Pat wanted to sign the petition and encouraged her grandsons to sign it, too. She said she wanted them to learn what was happening in the world.

Her grandson Conor said the CCP’s forced live organ harvesting was wrong. Both he and Magen were interested in learning more about Falun Gong.

Catherine supports practitioners’ efforts to end the persecution.

Catherine, a retired teacher, wanted to express her concern for Falun Gong practitioners when she saw them holding the event. She said she had heard about the persecution and the live organ harvesting eight years ago. She signed the petition last year and thought the persecution had continued for far too long. She said the international community should work together to end it.

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is Good

Vittorio learns about Falun Gong from a practitioner on Trafalgar Square.

Vittorio, a civil engineer from Italy who has worked in the UK for five years, said he had heard about Falun Gong from a friend 10 years ago. “I felt at peace when I saw the exercise demonstration,” he said. “I read all the posters and learned a lot. The persecution is terrible. I have signed the petition.

“Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good for the whole of society,” said Vittorio. “If a person can focus on examining himself, he can become a better person. This is not just for yourself, but for others around you.”

Vittorio appreciates the inner peace and strength demonstrated by Falun Gong practitioners.

“It is important to maintain peace,” said he. “We live under pressure and need to learn to relax in order to find the best way out, look inward, and stay rational.”

“Why don't I start practicing (Falun Gong) now?” he said.