(Minghui.org) July 20, 2015 marks the 16th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong. The persecution was launched by the Chinese Communist Party in 1999 and has been met with 16 years of peaceful resistance by Falun Gong practitioners around the world.
In the last two weeks, practitioners from all corners of the globe have held activities to expose the brutality, and call for the end of the persecution. In this report, highlight events that took place in France, Spain, Ukraine, and Italy.
Events in Paris
On July 18, practitioners from Paris held two marches that went through the old Chinatown and areas where Chinese communities are located. The marches ended at the plaza in front of the city hall. Rallies were held at the city hall plaza and the Italian plaza following the marches.
The rally at the city hall plaza. The sign reads “Disintegrate the communist party, and end the persecution.”
The rally at the Italian plaza. The sign reads “Disintegrate the communist party, and end the persecution.”
March through the Chinatown.
The following day, practitioners demonstrated the exercises in front of the Eiffel Towel. The Divine Land Marching Band also performed. Many Chinese tourists the event. Some took photos with practitioners, and some quit the communist party with practitioners' help.
The Divine Land Marching Band performs.
Posing for a photo in front of the Divine Land Marching Band
Demonstrating the exercises
Chinese tourists are viewing the Falun Gong materials and talking to practitioners.
Events in Spain
On July 17, practitioners from all over Spain assembled in Madrid. In the morning, they held a protest, demonstrated the exercises, and passed out materials in front of the Chinese embassy. In the afternoon, they collected signatures against the Chinese state-sanctioned organ harvesting at Callao Square in downtown.
The activities were warmly supported by local residents and Chinese tourists.
The protest in front of the Chinese embassy in Madrid.
The signature collection in downtown Madrid. Shocked by the brutality, many people signed the petition to support practitioners' peaceful resistance.
Events in Ukraine
On July 20, commemorations were held in multiple Ukrainian cities.
Collecting signatures to condemn the persecution in Kharkiv (upper) and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (lower)
Collecting signatures to condemn the persecution in Kramatorsk. Practitioners also gave Falun Gong materials to the government officials.
Activities in Keiv, including exercise demonstration, re-enacting the tortures, signature collection, and commemorating those who were tortured to death.
People in Kiev sign a petition in support of Falun Gong.
Activities in Italy
From the 18th to the 20th, practitioners in Milan held activities in downtown, Chinatown, and in front of the Chinese embassy.
Exercise in front of the Chinese embassy
In front of the Chinese Embassy, signing a petition condemning the persecution of Falun Gong
Demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises in Chinatown
Telling Chinese people about the persecution of Falun Gong
Category: July 20 Events
