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Copenhagen Press Conference and Parade Ends at Danish Parliament (Photos) (Clearwisdom.net)
On Monday September 23rd, Falun Dafa practitioners held a press conference
and parade in the city hall square of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. The
press conference was attended by Danish media and featured speeches by
dignitaries such as former Danish Parliament member Viggo Fischer and Lord
Francis Thurlow. Speeches were also given by Dai Zhizen, the young mother from
Australia whose husband was tortured to death by the Chinese regime, Zhao Ming,
who suffered two years of brutal persecution in Chinese labour camps, and the
Co-Chairman of the European Dafa Association, Peter Jauhal. Each speaker exposed
the appalling and inhumane nature of Jiang Zemin's three years of persecution
from a different perspective, providing the many listeners with a comprehensive
picture of both the atrocities happening in China today and the infiltration of
the Chinese regime's terror tactics into a free and democratic European society.
Before the press conference, practitioners performed Falun Gong exercises in
the Square. Many passers-by were happy to receive leaflets and learn more about
the graceful exercises that they could see on the square. After reflecting on
the beautiful nature of the practice they were surprised and disturbed to learn
from practitioners about the vicious suppression of over 100 million innocent
Chinese people. Those who did not have an opportunity to talk with practitioners
still witnessed the stark contrast between the beautiful and colourful Falun
Dafa banners and the strong photographic evidence of torture and physical
violence against practitioners in Chinese detention centres.
Information was distributed in Danish, English and Chinese during the
exercises, press conference and parade. Two female police officers told a
practitioner of their dismay and horror that people could be brainwashed,
tortured and murdered for wanting to practise exercises and become better
people. Another elderly man asked what non-practitioners could do to help bring
an end to this persecution as soon as possible.
The parade moved through the scenic and lively city of Copenhagen as traffic
was halted by local police officers. The parade was headed by three
practitioners with beautiful hand-made banners displaying the fundamental
principles of Falun Dafa: Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance. They were
followed by ladies dressed in white and carrying pictures of practitioners whose
lives have been taken because they want to follow these three principles.
Following this came practitioners carrying banners or just peacefully
walking, many dressed in yellow tops which had written on them: "Falun
Dafa, Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance." . The whole parade was
accompanied by beautiful music composed by practitioners and many people were
pleased to receive flyers so that they could learn the truth about Falun Dafa.
Many shopowners and customers left the shops and came out into the street to
receive information and watch the solemn and peaceful procession.
The parade ended outside of the Danish parliament building where
practitioners presented a letter to the Danish Prime Minister requesting the
Danish government, President country of the European Union, to use their power
and influence to put pressure on the Chinese authorities to end their vicious
reign of terror. This event coincided with the Asia-Europe Summit meeting which
sees government delegates from ten Asian countries, including China, travelling
to Denmark to meet with representatives from fifteen European countries.
Practitioners also hoped that the Danish authorities will think carefully
about their recent decision to bow to pressure from the Chinese Embassy by
revoking Falun Gong's invitation to take part in "Asian Comments", the
Asia-Europe Summit's cultural festival. The Danish parliament building is
actually a tourist attraction and was visited by two coachloads of Chinese
holidaymakers while practitioners were present. They were shocked and surprised
to see so many members of a practice that they believed to be banned, peacefully
appealing to the Danish government. Although these Chinese tourists were afraid
to accept material from practitioners due to the threat of persecution from
their own government, many of them did quietly accept the materials and quickly
pocketed them so that they could learn the truth about Falun Dafa when they were
alone. Posting date: 9/25/2002
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