(Clearwisdom.net) On June 28, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners set up an information booth again on Bahnhofstrasse Avenue close to the Zurich train station in Switzerland. As usual, pictures of Falun Gong practitioners being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) were hung around the tent. Informational materials were displayed on a small table along with petition forms in various languages. On the lawn next to the tent, a handful of practitioners demonstrated Falun Gong's five gentle exercises accompanied by the beautiful exercise music, while several practitioners distributed materials to passers-by.

Learning the exercises

Signing a petition to support Falun Gong

Over the past few years, these Falun Gong information booths have been seen on this well-known shopping street in Zurich almost every month. Some passers-by have become familiar with Falun Gong and have introduced it to others. Many, however, heard about Falun Gong and the CCP's persecution for the first time.

"More should learn the truth"

Ms. Kunz is an anti-violence, anti-discrimination activist. This was the first time that she had heard about Falun Gong. She was very interested and talked with practitioners for a long time. She said that she made a point to visit the information booth upon seeing posters related to the Beijing Olympics. In her opinion, without granting people their human rights, China should not be allowed to hold the Olympics. She had always known about the lack of human rights in China so she does not purchase products made in China. According to her, the reason why she signed the petition to call for a stop to the persecution of Falun Gong was because, "In my opinion it is critically important for people in China to enjoy human rights. I especially hope that this could become a reality before the Olympics are held."

It was Ms. Kunz' hope that international institutions could apply more pressure on the CCP to improve the human rights situation in China. For the first time she learned of the atrocious crime of live organ harvesting by the CCP. She said, "It is critical to publicize this. More people should know about this and apply pressure to help stop it."

An interior designer from Hamburg, Michael, has been living in Switzerland for fifteen years. He also heard about Falun Gong for the first time during this event. The banner, "Eyewitness: In CCP concentration camps, Falun Gong practitioners are subjected to live organ harvesting" moved him. After signing the petition, he said, "I'm very happy to support [Falun Gong practitioners]. Especially the concentration camps, I feel terrible about them as a German and am strongly against them." He promised that he would look up more information on the Internet. Regarding the CCP's crimes of live organ harvesting, he said, "It is simply horrible."

Ms. Zimmerman had read some Falun Gong materials previously, so was not a stranger to the practice. She feels that the persecution against a group of innocent people who believe in Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance is terrible. "Everybody should be entitled to freedom of belief," she said.

"We want to learn Falun Gong"

Ms. Stutz took her daughter straight to the information stand to sign the petition and show support for practitioners. Having taken a leaflet before, she said, "Falun Gong is fantastic, an excellent practice. I have always wanted to learn such a practice. If I had more time I would learn it. I think it's great!"

When talking about the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, she grew teary-eyed, "[The persecution] is a tragedy. How could humans be so cruel? Organ harvesting is horrific. Terrible. Terrible..." Before she left, she thanked the practitioners once again for what they were doing and wished them all good luck.

Mr. Lino, from India, who now lives in Switzerland, said happily, "I saw reports about Falun Gong on Swiss TV and felt it was such a peaceful practice. At the time I thought, 'I want to learn.'" During a walk on Saturday, he ran into the Falun Gong information booth by chance. Practitioner Manu agreed to show him the five exercises, so he started learning the practice. Lino said, "This is great! Very relaxing. I think I will come to the weekly practice in Zurich to continue with it." He also signed the petition to show his support for ending the persecution.

During the day's activities, there were high school students who, having seen the pictures, immediately signed the petition to support Falun Gong. There was an old woman who had previously learned about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and wanted to know this time how she could help stop the persecution.

After talking with practitioners and taking various materials, including the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, more and more people learned about Falun Gong and the CCP's persecution of this peaceful practice.