(Clearwisdom.net)á

In order to clarify the truth and protest the Hong Kong authorities' unreasonable indictment against Falun Gong practitioners due to the Jiang regime's pressure, Swiss Falun Gong practitioners held a press conference on August 7, 2002 at the Federal Square in downtown Berne, the capital of Switzerland. The press conference was scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. At 10:00 a.m., the practitioners set up a booth, passed out Dafa truth-clarifying literature and materials and clarified the truth to visitors, including a group of visitors from China. Some practitioners paid a visit to related departments of the federal government and major news outlets in the capital, bringing them Dafa truth-clarifying VCDs and Dafa related materials.

At 3:00 p.m., the press conference began. One of the Swiss practitioners presented the truth about the Hong Kong trial. He pointed out that the practitioners' peaceful appeal did not violate any laws in Hong Kong. The video footage and clear-cut numbers indicated that the Hong Kong police's so-called charges of "obstruction of traffic" and "assaulting the police" were totally false and obviously a form of political prosecution. The case had been scheduled to be resolved in ten days, and it should have been concluded at the end of June or in early July, but it has been extended again and again. So far it has lasted for 25 days. A Swiss newspaper, the Swiss Daily, said in its later report, "According to observation, the case has been ridiculously prolonged for lack of reliable evidence."

Swiss practitioners pointed out: If the verdict were in favor of the plaintiff, it would mean that the court has issued a permit to violate the human rights. A Councilor from Geneva expressed on behalf of her colleagues their support for Falun Gong practitioners' righteous actions, and called on the Swiss government to pay attention to this case. She also expressed her hope that the Hong Kong government would treat the Falun Gong practitioners well and ensure the citizens' right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Letters of support from organizations including Radical Party, Across Borders and Association of International Human Rights were also read aloud at the press conference. After the press conference, the practitioners demonstrated the exercises and sent forth righteous thoughts on the square.

As it was the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Federal Parliament Building and the building was open to public, there were many visitors at the square. The press conference and the practitioners' exercise demonstration attracted many visitors' attention. They came over to ask for Dafa truth-clarifying literature and materials, and listened to the truth about the Hong Kong police's false charges against Falun Gong practitioners.

When a group of visitors from China approached us, the practitioners walked up to them and gave them Dafa truth-clarifying materials. Some visitors took the materials without any hesitation, and when seeing three Chinese characters for Falun Gong, they said excitedly, "Ah, Falun Gong, wonderful!" Some gave us a thumbs-up to express their support and admiration. Some of them did not dare to take materials themselves, but still showed their worries for others who took the materials: "You're so brave." Those who took the materials replied, "I want to study it." Another young lady came up to our booth and read all of the truth-clarifying materials at once. An older gentleman showed hesitation to take the materials. Our practitioners said to him, "Please take a look at our display boards and read our truth-clarifying materials. In China you could only hear one-sided voice. Be sure not to miss the opportunity!" One man nearby introduced the older gentleman to us and said, "He is our leader." The practitioner said, "Ah, I understand, you know Falun Gong is good in your heart, and that practitioners are good people." The older gentleman kept nodding to express his agreement.

One visitor from Munich said that he was so happy to see Falun Gong. He was eager to learn to practice the exercises but did not know how to contact the Falun Gong practitioners in Germany. We helped him to find the contact persons, and he happily signed his name to support Falun Gong. There was also a couple from France. Though they did not know much German, they knew that Falun Gong is good, and both of them signed their names. Two more young people said, "We have been looking for Falun Gong for a long time, and we finally found it today. We want to practice Falun Gong." The practitioners then immediately taught them to practice the exercises.