(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.