We had gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate in Hamburg to raise awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and to do Fa Zheng Nian [send forth righteous thoughts]. We had brilliant sunshine that day. Many people out for a walk intended to go down to the Elbe River, which flows through Hamburg. This allowed us to have many a conversation with passers-by about Falun Gong, the suppression and situation in China. Some specifically sought us out to speak with us, because they had seen us stationed there several times before. Among them was a gentleman. He took his time to read everything and looked intently at the photos. Then he took a newspaper. We started a conversation. He used the term “sect” to describe Falun Gong. I explained to him calmly that this term is incorrect and told him why. He understood my comments, agreed with me and did not use the term again.

He had many questions about Falun Gong and the persecution. He understood immediately and found our actions in front of the consulate justified and correct. Then he said, “Continue on, even though you are only a few people; sometime in the future there will be more.

Practitioners in Germany

May 20th, 2002