November 23, 2001
On the evening of November 21, 2001, the temperature decreased to near zero degrees Celsius in Zurich, Switzerland. Dozens of Dafa practitioners from various places in Switzerland gathered in the Zurich Train Station lobby with fresh flowers or banners in hand to welcome the four Swiss practitioners returning from Beijing.
At 11:00 p.m. local time, when the four practitioners stepped into the lobby, all local practitioners applauded warmly to welcome them back in triumph and greet them. Four young little practitioners stepped forward to present fresh flowers. The practitioners hugged each other with tears in their eyes and it was touching.
In a restaurant beside the station, the four practitioners described their experiences of validating Dafa during the 20 hours in Beijing. They said that they had intense feelings indescribable with human language when they sent forth righteous thoughts collectively on Tiananmen Square. They mentioned the brutal treatment they received in the square and at the detention location. One practitioner was brutally beaten by three policemen when he was interrogated individually. He said that he noticed the fierce and evil gaze from the police's eyes and that he did not feel much pain though he could hear the sounds of the punches. He said with tears in his eyes, "It is the Teacher who bore for us." They also mentioned that they took the interrogation as a good opportunity to spread Dafa and clarify the truth. One policeman on duty to watch them said quietly, "I know Falun Dafa is good. But I dare not say it now." The practitioners were pleased to see that people, especially some police are waking up. They expressed that they would introduce their personal stories and experiences of this trip to the Swiss Government, Parliament, media, and Swiss people, and call on all kind-hearted people to take action to urgently rescue those Falun Gong practitioners enduring vast tribulation in China.
Other practitioners from Switzerland held another press conference November 21, 2001 with the help of Switzerland News Agency after holding a press conference on the day before. Reporters from Switzerland TV Stations, radio stations, and newspapers attended the conference. Geneva's Member of Parliament and the radical party convener came just to attend the conference. In his speech, he highly praised the immense courage of the practitioners and expressed his understanding of their actions. He said, "As a Member of Parliament, I advocate the belief of "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance." I will continuously respect and support Falun Gong practitioners for their actions to maintain their basic human rights and freedom of belief."
The relatives of the three practitioners who returned from China attended the conference. Practitioner Richard's mother said in an interview, "Now I can truly understand the huge pain that the Falun Gong practitioners in China bear as I myself bear the pain. They are really great!" The reporters were touched when seeing the less than two-year old baby of a practitioner and the pregnant wife of another practitioner, and said they would report the event in a fair and just way as soon as possible to let more Swiss people know the truth.
Category: April 25 Events
