Switzerland: Rally in Bern Marks Anniversary of the April 25 Appeal

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in Bern held a rally on April 26, 2025, to commemorate the 26^th anniversary of the April 25 appeal. They also told people about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong). Many passersby listened to the speeches, read the display boards, and talked with practitioners.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises on Kornhaus Platz.

A practitioner read an open letter in front of Chinese Embassy in both Chinese and German.

Speakers talk about the April 25 appeal and the CCP’s persecution at the rally on Kornhaus Platz.

A woman (middle) talks with a practitioner to learn more about Falun Dafa.

Passersby learn about Falun Dafa and sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

Hope and Courage from the April 25 Appeal

Sarah Kessler, a teacher, said she discusses topics such as human rights and religions with her students. She first heard about the April 25 petition during a conversation with a practitioner.

Surprised, she said, “I didn’t expect something like this to happen in China.” When she learned that the police that day were idle because everything was so peaceful, she said, “That is good to hear. I think it’s great.” She said, “They [the Chinese] probably didn’t expect that problems could be solved in such a peaceful, calm, and silent way.

“With that successful event as an example, we must never give up hope. We should continue and persist in the fight [against the persecution],” she said.

Andreas Hertel, who worked in China for ten years, said about the April 25 appeal, “I think this was a very good thing, because it is exactly what the CCP wants to stop. So many people standing together, even if it is very peaceful, will have an impact.”

Speaking of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Ruslan Plishko, a Ukrainian cinematographer, said, “Those are the best virtues a person could have. People can effectively improve themselves according to these values.”

Sarah said, “People should practice these values and live by them.” After learning that Falun Dafa practitioners follow them every day, she said, “This is very good.”

People Want to Stop the Persecution

Andreas Hertel said, “There is absolutely no reason to oppose [Falun Gong]. They [practitioners] cultivate themselves and do no harm. Why persecute them? Perhaps it is because the number of Falun Gong practitioners exceeds the number of CCP members, so the CCP began to persecute them.”

Helina said, “26 years is too long. This persecution is completely wrong. People should be allowed to live freely and have their own opinions.”

Talking about the CCP-sanctioned forced organ harvesting, Sarah Kessle said, “This is heartbreaking. This is a violation of human rights, a crime, and the greatest evil.” She believes that it is not only Falun Gong practitioners who are hurt: “This has traumatized many people and those around them. People will begin to fear that they will have the same experience and lose their lives. If a person needs to worry all day about whether his organs will be removed, then there is no quality of life to speak of.”

Ruslan Plishko said, “Taking organs from a person against his will is not what a human being does. It is against human nature and tramples on human dignity. This should not happen today, in the 21st century.”

They all signed the petition. Andreas Hertel said, “I can offer my small support, hoping that the persecution can be stopped and these people [Falun Gong practitioners] can practice freely.”

Helina signed the petition and asked her friend to sign it. She said, “I am very willing to help others. I hope my signature can draw more people to sign, because the petition is very good and the persecution is so cruel—it must be stopped, so more signatures are needed.”

Sarah Kessler said, “It is just a small thing to sign, and it can support Falun Gong practitioners. Of course I must sign it. I hope that by signing the petition, the transparency of this matter [the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners] can be increased, so that people can know what is happening, and everyone can work together to effectively help these persecuted people.”