(Clearwisdom.net) July 20, 2011 marked the 12 year anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). UK Falun Gong practitioners peacefully performed the exercises and clarified the facts outside the Prime Minister's office on Downing Street. They delivered 20,000 signatures to Prime Minister David Cameron that have been collected across the U.K. over the past year, calling on the UK government and the general public to learn the facts, show concern over the CCP's crimes against humanity, and join efforts to stop the persecution of Falun Gong. That same evening, practitioners held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Embassy in London in memory of those practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution.
Despite the rain, practitioners held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Embassy in London to call for an end to the persecution
A candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Embassy in London
Practitioners perform the exercises and display truth clarification banners to raise awareness about the persecution
Delivery of signatures opposing the persecution at the Prime Minister's Office
At around 1:00 p.m., five practitioners arrived at the Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street to deliver 20,000 signatures that they had collected over the past year at different places in the U.K. They wanted to let the government officials see and hear voices of justice from the general public who expressed their support for Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to end the persecution. A staff member accepted the four thick books of signatures on behalf of the Prime Minister.
Practitioners display signatures to be delivered to the Prime Minister in front of 10 Downing Street
A staff member of Prime Minister's Office accepts the signatures from Falun Gong practitioners
Ms. Zhou, one of the five practitioners who delivered the signatures, was once persecuted in China for having remained steadfast in her belief. She said, “I hope the UK Government will become aware of the true situation, and can help stop the Chinese Communist regime's persecution of people who cultivate the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I also hope that the UK government will know clearly that only by disintegrating the CCP can the persecution be stopped.”
“Today we conveyed the voices of the general public to the Prime Minister's Office. It will urge the UK Government to assist and support us to stop the persecution,” said Ms. Zhou. “I hope that all people in the world can become aware of the persecution, and join the efforts to end it.”
Righteous support in front of the Prime Minister's Office
On the same day, practitioners collected several hundred more signatures at Downing Street. Many people passing by heard about Falun Gong and the persecution for the first time, and they signed the petition to express their support after hearing about what has happened. Some people had heard about Falun Gong before, and came over and signed the petition. Some drivers in passing by vehicles honked their horns to express their support.
Two tourists from Romania and their two children wanted to sign the petition. When asked why they support Falun Gong practitioners, the boy told the reporter, “I want to help all the persecuted, I hope everyone can be happy.” The boy's mother said, “I know what prison is. Romania used to be like China, Romania is now very good, so I hope China can also get better.”
The boy, his mother and their friends from Romania sign the petition to support Falun Gong
A Spanish couple read a truth clarification flyer and then signed the petition. The wife is a teacher, the husband is an economist. They said they signed to express their support to stop the persecution, and they wanted to learn more about Falun Gong and the persecution.
A Spanish couple hopes to learn more about Falun Gong
A family of four from the outskirts of London signed the petition. The mother heard about Falun Gong and the persecution for the first time. She was shocked and felt it inconceivable to persecute such a peaceful practice in the 21th century. She thought it was completely wrong, and asked what she could do to help, at least to let more people become aware of it.
A family of four from the outskirts of London signs the petition
People stop to sign the petition on Downing Street
Mr. Daniel Ofirrell and his wife from a London suburb signed the petition. Mr. Ofirrell said that he signed because he believed that one should have freedom of belief. The Falun Gong practitioners do not disturb anybody. He said that every effort is precious, signing the petition, or telling others about it, everyone can do something to begin with. He finally said, “Let more people learn about it, what you're doing is right, keep it up!”
Mr. Daniel Ofirrell encourages Falun Gong practitioners to keep up their efforts
Candlelight vigil in memory of practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution
At dusk, practitioners held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Embassy in London. Despite the rain, practitioners held huge banners written in both Chinese and English. They lit up candles to commemorate fellow practitioners who have lost their lives for their belief. Accompanied by banners and candlelight, practitioners peacefully meditated in the rain. The scene attracted the attention of many passersby and people in passing vehicles. Many drivers rolled down their car windows to take a truth clarifying flyer from practitioners.
