(Minghui.org) July 20 was the 21st anniversary of the start of the persecution of Falun Gong in China. On that dark day in 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated the nationwide persecution of the spiritual practice, which is based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
Falun Gong practitioners around the world hold activities to mark July 20 each year and peacefully protest the persecution. The following events were recently held in Madrid, Spain, and Amsterdam and Den Haag in the Netherlands.
Signature Drive on Plaza Callao in Madrid
Practitioners from many areas gathered in Madrid from July 18 to 20 to peacefully protest the persecution. On July 18, they held activities on Plaza Callao from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Many people were disturbed to hear about the cruelty of the persecution and signed a petition to call for an end to the forced organ harvesting.
On Plaza Callao in Madrid on July 18—raising awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong
Juan, a tourist from South America, said he was sad to know that such things are still going on in China, where people are tortured and even have their organs harvested by the authorities.
Group Exercises in Parque del Buen Retiro
Parque del Buen Retiro is one of the largest parks in Madrid. The Spanish monarchy had it built as a pleasant retreat for the royal family in the 16th Century. It opened to the public in the late 19th Century.
Falun Gong practitioners did the exercises together in the park on the morning of July 19. The graceful movements and soothing music attracted many passersby who wanted to learn more about Falun Gong.
Doing the exercises in Parque del Buen Retiro on July 19
Rally and Protest in front of the Chinese Embassy
Practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Madrid to protest the 21-year-long persecution. Human Rights lawyer Carlos Iglesia spoke, condemning the crimes of the Chinese Communist Party and calling on the regime to stop the persecution immediately.
He also called on embassy employees to learn the truth and break away from the communist party.
Ms. Zhao, a Falun Gong practitioner, spoke about being tortured in China for her belief.
Practitioners in front of the Chinese Embassy in Madrid on July 20, 2020
Madrid resident Rosa signs a petition to stop forced organ harvesting.
Rally and Protest in Front of the Parliament Building
That same day, practitioners rallied in front of the parliament building in Madrid, Congreso de los Diputados.
Practitioners held a rally in front of the Congreso de los Diputados on July 20.
Amsterdam: Rally and Peaceful Protest at De Dam Plaza
Falun Gong practitioners who live in the Netherlands held a peaceful protest on Plaza De Dam on July 18, 2020.
Falun Gong practitioners in the Netherlands held a peaceful protest on Plaza De Dam on July 18.
Elected Officials Condemn the Persecution of Falun Gong
More than 600 legislators from 32 countries signed a joint statement condemning the 21-year-long “systematic and brutal” persecution of the peaceful spiritual discipline of Falun Gong and calling for the Chinese Communist Party to stop the persecution immediately. The statement was published online on the Falun Dafa Information Center website on July 18, 2020.
Four Members of the Netherlands Parliament signed the statement, including MP and leader of the Forum for Democracy Thierry Baudet, Wybren van Haga, Sadet Karabulut, and Tunahan Kuzu.
Former Netherlands MP and Member of European Parliament Honorable Hans van Baalen also signed the statement and said “only human rights and democracy can bring prosperity, peace and stability to China, and Falun Gong’s peaceful spiritual movement can contribute.”
Amnesty International Netherlands calls on the Chinese communist regime to release all prisoners of conscience who are jailed for their belief and freedom of speech.
United States Ambassador to the Netherlands Peter Hoekstra supported Falun Gong on Twitter.
Peaceful Protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Den Haag
Peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Den Haag on July 20
On the morning of July 20, Falun Gong practitioners held a peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Den Haag. Their banners read: “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “The World Needs Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” “Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong,” and “Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice.”
Jessica stopped at the event and said, “Looking at these people peacefully meditating, I don’t see anything they did wrong. I don’t understand why the Chinese government wants to persecute them.”
Miriam, a resident of Den Haag, signed the petition to stop forced organ harvesting and said, “Every life is important. I hope [the communist regime] immediately stops the persecution.”
