Paris Residents: “It is a Disgrace to Remain Silent about This Persecution”

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held activities at Place Saint-Michel and Place Colette during the weekend of September 4-5, 2021. They demonstrated the exercises, informed the public about the persecution in China and collected signatures on a petition to bring the persecution to an end.

During weekends in September, many outdoor events are held in Paris and the streets are filled with a constant stream of people. Numerous passersby stopped to read the practitioners’ information about the CCP’s (Chinese Communist Party) 22-year-long persecution against Dafa practitioners. This was the first time some people heard of Falun Dafa, while others already knew about the persecution as well as the CCP’s true nature. 

After going through more than a year of the CCP virus (coronavirus) that brought illness, death and huge financial loss, people have an averse reaction when they hear the word “CCP.” Most people did not hesitate to sign the petition, especially after they learned the details of the brutal persecution, including the CCP’s forced removal of practitioners’ organs while they are alive.

Some Parisians commented that as the “motherland of human rights” France and developed nations in the West should be ashamed that they have not stopped this persecution that has gone on for more than 20 years. Most lawmakers and dignitaries continue to remain silent. 

Falun Dafa practitioners demonstrate the exercises as part of information day activities held at Place Colette in central Paris on September 5, 2021.

Parisians stop to read the information and sign the petition to condemn the decades-long persecution.

Paris residents read the information and learn about the persecution in China during activities at Place Colette.

Michel Lison, 68, was a Red Cross volunteer and head of the information and communications department. He saw the practitioners’ activities at Place Saint- Michel on September 4 and learned how practitioners in China are incarcerated for following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. He said angrily, “This is a crime—it is no different from what the Nazis did in the concentration camps. We should urgently and strongly oppose this globally. This must end and be publicly condemned.”

He continued, “The CCP is absolutely evil. It is a liar, and just like all regimes it controls society—in China and the world. Those who do bad deeds pretend to be friends of the people. When we see them from the back, it is the complete opposite.

“These crimes committed by the CCP in China have gone on for a long time. I think it is too long. Therefore we must quickly end this persecution. Twenty-two years is such a long time. If it doesn’t end now, it means more people will be tortured and die. This shouldn’t continue. We have the responsibility to expose and resist this.”

Clisson works in the government. He saw the practitioners at Place Saint-Michel and learned about the persecution. He said, “I don’t understand this. How can this persecution that began in the 1990s still continue until today? This silence is frightening. It is a disgrace, a shame to these major Western countries. They know about this, yet they will not take a tough stance to end it. The CCP’s tyranny and murder of people is still happening. It is inconceivable! It is a dishonor to let this continue.” Before he left he told practitioners, “You must continue to expose this persecution, keep going!”

Marianne Slob is a writer from the Netherlands. She plans to stay in Paris for three months to work on a book. She took a walk to Place Colette on September 5 and said, after signing the petition, “The CCP is a totalitarian regime, the persecution is horrible. Freedom of thought and culture is extremely important. I must expose the horrors of this brutality even if it angers the CCP. I must speak out and let people know.”

Danielle, an artist, signed the petition when she noticed practitioners’ activities at Place Colette on September 5. She said, “There is little freedom in China, I support you! I stand together with you!”