(Minghui.org) Practitioners held a rally and march in Prague’s Old Town on June 8, 2024 to let people know about Falun Dafa and how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes the spiritual discipline in China. The march started from Hradcany Square, passed by Charles Bridge and then circled the city streets.
The march was led by Tian Guo Marching Band, followed by an exercise demonstration team, waist drum team, dragon and lion dance teams.
Practitioners held portraits of those who died in the CCP’s persecution.
Lucie Biller and her friend Jana Taubert strolled through the alleys of Prague’s Old Town and saw the march. Biller and Taubert are both Czech, but work in Germany. Biller is a special education teacher, and Taubert works as a monitor for a multinational company. Biller took out her phone to record the march and said, “These performances are so beautiful. They bring a new culture to the Czech Republic, which is great.” Taubert also praised the march and said, “It’s great. It’s a brand new message for us.”
But when Biller saw the female practitioners in white in the procession holding the portraits of victims, and read the messages on the banners, tears welled up in her eyes. When the waist drum team gradually walked away, she said in a choked voice: “I saw their [practitioners who were persecuted to death] photos, including women. This will affect their whole family.” “This is a resistance to the CCP’s violence. They are persecuted in their own country, and they are protesting peacefully here. I am very moved.”
People sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution.
The march started from Hradcany Square.
The march passed the Charles Bridge.
People watch the march and learn about the CCP’s persecution.
Practitioner Ding Lebin (second from left) holds a poster calling to rescue his father, who is detained in China.
The father of German practitioner Ding Lebin is one of them. Last May, Mr. Ding’s parents were abducted by police from their tea garden in China. Since then, he has been traveling to events throughout Europe, hoping to gain support so that his father, who is still illegally detained, and the tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners who are still being persecuted can regain their freedom and practice their belief.
Support from Spectators
The march in the city center.
Marie, a physical therapist from Germany, saw the march. After learning about the event, she said, “It looks beautiful. But we read that the [persecution] behind it is very serious.”
She said she supports practitioners, “I oppose the persecution of those who are peaceful. I support them in upholding their beliefs and culture. Moreover, this [march] should be known to more people.”
She also said that she felt peaceful watching the march, “I will go home to learn more information. I think this is very important.”
Demonstrating the exercises in Prague’s Old Town.
After the march, practitioners returned to the Old Town Square. They answered people’s questions and collected signatures on a petition calling on the Czech Parliament to take more action to jointly stop the persecution.
George, a chef from California, USA, has long known about Falun Dafa. After seeing the petition, he signed it immediately: “Because I strongly oppose the persecution of Falun Dafa.”
Klaudia, a psychotherapist from Austria, learned more about Falun Dafa while traveling in Prague. She signed the petition, “I support you. I oppose live organ harvesting and trafficking. This is a serious violation of human rights.”
People stop and read the posters.
People read the posters.
Felix Maass and Frauke Joergens, two German software developers, heard the band’s performance and saw information about Falun Dafa. They said this was the first time they had heard of Falun Dafa or the persecution.
After signing the petition, Joergens said, “I read about the torture, which is terrible. It’s terrible that such a peaceful practice is persecuted just because they don’t go along with the Chinese Communist Party.” Maass said, “It’s unimaginable that such a thing can happen. It shouldn’t happen.”
Joergens said, “I hope I can do my part to stop it [the persecution], because it shouldn’t happen.” Maass said that more people should pay attention to this issue, “I think it’s a good thing to lend a hand.”
Tourists sign the petition.
On the second day, June 9, some passersby saw the band’s performance and practitioners in Old Town Square. Thinking of the march they saw the day before, they immediately decided to sign the petition and encouraged their friends to sign it. Many people told practitioners that they hoped to help end the persecution.
On June 9, Romana, a young tax consultant, was one of them. She said, “I like the march. And it’s not just Chinese people. There are people from all over the world practicing Falun Dafa. I think this is very good and wonderful.”
Regarding the CCP’s persecution, she said, “[The CCP's] live organ harvesting is unimaginably horrible. I am shocked and cannot accept it.” She signed the petition immediately, “I think every signature will make a difference, so I asked my friends to sign it as well. I hope the persecution can be stopped.”
People Encourage Practitioners
Biller and Taubert had to return to Germany. Before leaving, Biller told a practitioner, “Please continue to persevere and let more people know about this. Just like we didn’t know about it before, today is the first time we see it and understand it. Please don’t remain silent, take to the streets and let more people know [the truth]. This is important.”
Taubert also wants to tell the Chinese people: “In the Czech Republic, the Communist Party collapsed and people gained their freedom. I grew up in a communist society and know what that means. Please don’t give up and let more people know [the truth].”
When the afterglow of Sunday evening once again covered Prague in a golden hue, the practitioners from all over Europe also ended their two-day activities and headed home. More people heard about Falun Dafa for the first time and, like Biller and Taubert, were searching for more information about Falun Dafa and Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
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