(Clearwisdom.net) On June 4, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners
gathered in front of the hotel Principe di Savoia, where Vice
Chairman of China Xi Jinping was staying during his visit to Italy.
The practitioners were there to protest the Chinese Communist
Party's (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong and to call upon the
Italian government and people to pay attention to and help stop the
CCP’s brutal persecution.
Around 10 a.m., at an open space in the street directly opposite
the hotel entrance, practitioners stood silently waiting, ready to
display protest banners to the Chinese officials.
The practitioners’ peaceful demonstration attracted the attention
of some Italian journalists. A reporter took photos and talked with
the practitioners to learn more about the persecution and details
behind their appeal.
Two Italian police in plain clothes also came over to inquire
about the words on the banners that the practitioners were about to
unfurl. After hearing about them, they smiled, nodded and walked
away.
At that time, a group of Chinese officials came out of the hotel.
Practitioners unfurled the banners, "The CCP is the arch-criminal
in the persecution of Falun Gong" and "Falun Dafa is good."
Appearing stunned by the words on the banners, several Chinese
officials from the consulate stood there, not knowing what to do.
One in dark sunglasses barked some orders with animated gestures,
looking flustered and agitated.
Under pressure from the CCP officials, several Italian police soon
showed up with walkie-talkies. First practitioners were asked to
back up two meters. But it was clear that the CCP officials were
still flustered and continued putting pressure on the police to
have the practitioners move to the other side of the open space.
However, the yellow Falun Gong t-shirts with the "Falun Dafa is
good" message could still be seen there. Under the CCP’s constant
pressure, the Italian police ended up making a foolish request of
the practitioners to cover up their yellow clothing. The police
themselves must have realized that their request was as irrational
as the CCP officials' fear.
The CCP’s fear that their crimes of persecuting Falun Gong would
be exposed formed a strong contrast against Falun Gong
practitioners’ peaceful and rational protest against the
persecution. People wanted to know more about Falun Gong and the
persecution. Some Italian journalists on the scene filmed the
entire course of the protest.
Around noon, Xi Jinping’s motorcade left the hotel for the Milan
district government headquarters. After more than two hours, for
fear of seeing Falun Gong practitioners waiting on the roadside,
the motorcade took a detour when leaving the government
building.
