France: People in La Rochelle Encourage Practitioners at Events to Expose the Persecution

(Minghui.org) Practitioners held an event at Place de Verdun in La Rochelle on July 18, 2026, to raise awareness of the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and call for an end to the 27 years of persecution.

Practitioners’ event at Place de Verdun in La Rochelle (Minghui.org)

People Learn About the Persecution of Falun Gong

An important port on France’s Atlantic coast since the 12th century, La Rochelle is known as the “Gateway to the Ocean.” This centuries-old city has a rich history and well-preserved architecture.

When people at the outdoor café near the event heard about the CCP’s crime of organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners, they could hardly believe that such an atrocity was taking place and signed the petition to help end it. Some people asked for more pamphlets so that they could give them to their family members and relatives.

Philipp, a waiter at the café, signs the petition. When he heard about the atrocities in China, he said he had to do something. (Minghui.org)

A student signs the petition. (Minghui.org)

This Persecution Must Stop

Nicole, 80, was shocked when she read the pamphlet about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and its crime of organ harvesting. She signed the petition to G7+7 countries to stop the crime of forced organ harvesting. She said she was involved in several associations, supported all innocent victims, and would spread the information because this outrage must be stopped.

Nicole signs the petition to G7+7 nations to call for an end to the forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners. (Minghui.org)

Andre Desbois, 86, and his friend Jean-Paul talked with practitioners. Both are members of a well-known association that helps global victims. They said that they would organize discussions for their association members about the persecution of Falun Gong. They signed the petition, gave practitioners their contact numbers, and said they hoped to coordinate in the future.

Jean-Paul signs the petition. Andre Desbois said that many Chinese were being persecuted. (Minghui.org)

People Encourage Practitioners

Julien, who also signed the petition, said when he traveled to China he felt the pressure and lack of freedom there. Chinese people only worked, they had no freedom and could not enjoy life. He said that practitioners did well and thatthis was an important issue.

A university student who read the pamphlet said he knew there were no human rights in China, especially for the Uyghurs and Tibetans. But he hadn’t heard about the persecution of Falun Gong. He couldn’t imagine that people were killed for their faith and their organs were forcibly harvested. He signed the petition and said he would tell people he knew about the persecution. He hopes it ends soon.

When a couple learned about the forced organ harvesting, they signed the petition. They said that they would discuss the issue with their friends.

From No Action to Becoming Supportive

When a practitioner told a man about the persecution in China, he said China was too strong and the whole world did business with it. He thought that petitions wouldn’t do anything. The practitioner said, “The reason many people don’t do anything is because they think nothing will change. If we continue our efforts, things will change.”

The man and his wife signed the petition. They took several pamphlets and thanked the practitioners for making them aware of the persecution.

Business Owners Help Raise Awareness

Practitioners visited local shops and businesses and gave them pamphlets. Most of the shop assistants were shocked when they heard about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and the forced organ harvesting. They asked why they were persecuted. After practitioners explained the situation, they put the pamphlets in their shops for their clients to read or take.

One clothing store salesperson said he would put the pamphlets in their customers’ shopping bags. Some salespeople couldn’t understand why people were imprisoned and tortured for practicing Falun Dafa and believing in the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Many people were also surprised that no media outlets reported on or mentioned that such horrible things were happening in China.

Practitioners also went to the Port of La Rochelle to tell people about the persecution. They gave out pamphlets along the way and talked to people about Falun Dafa and the persecution in China.