Vienna, Austria: Rally Marks 26 Years of Efforts to End Persecution, Public Supports Falun Gong

(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held a rally at Stephansplatz in Vienna, Austria, on July 19, 2025, to protest the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 26-year persecution in China. With speeches, photo displays, exercise demonstrations, and performances, practitioners informed the public about the brutal persecution that Falun Gong practitioners, who follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, have endured in China since July 20, 1999. Many people signed a petition calling for an end to the brutality.

Protesting the 26-Year Torture and Persecution

In speeches at the event, practitioners described the CCP’s severe persecution in China over the past 26 years. To this day, practitioners in China continue to be persecuted and are even tortured to death simply for upholding the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. According to independent investigations, hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners are believed to have been murdered for their organs in Chinese prisons.

Falun Gong practitioners held a rally at Stephansplatz, Vienna, on July 19, 2025.

Practitioners raise awareness of the CCP’s genocidal persecution of Falun Gong in China.

The Vienna Human Rights Office issued a statement reflecting public officials’ support for ending the persecution. The statement read: “Protecting human rights—especially the rights of minority groups and the freedoms of thought and conscience—is a universal mission. As a human rights city, Vienna is committed to these principles and actively strives to ensure these rights are upheld in daily life.”

Messages of Truth Deeply Move Onlookers

Throughout the event, practitioners continued demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises and even reenacted the CCP’s forced organ harvesting. Many people signed the “G7+7 International Petition to End Forced Organ Harvesting,” which urges the G7 and seven Asia-Pacific governments to provide information to protect their citizens from participating in the CCP’s crimes, and investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable.

A reenactment of the CCP’s forced organ harvesting

People sign a petition calling for an end to the persecution.

Several passersby were deeply moved by the event. A doctor was appalled after speaking with practitioners, and two women called the persecution heartbreaking. Others took video of the event, signed petitions, or expressed a desire to help. Support came from people of various backgrounds, including a Bosnian woman, an Israeli family, a couple from Hanover, and a man who fled China.

After talking with practitioners, 14 Chinese citizens renounced their memberships in the CCP and its affiliated organizations during the activities.

“Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Matters to Us All”

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the five exercises.

Two practitioners perform songs expressing sorrow over the ongoing persecution, deeply touching many passersby.

An elderly tourist from Germany talked to a practitioner during the event. “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are important values for all of us,” she said. She believed the practitioners meditating in the square were truly living by these principles. Their calm and focused meditation amid a bustling crowd left a strong impression on her.

An elderly couple from the United Kingdom saw Falun Gong for the first time and were warm and supportive. The woman expressed her interest in learning the practice.

A Ukrainian woman living in Vienna said she would join a local Falun Gong exercise group at the Vienna City Park.