(Minghui.org) China Year 2012 was held in Cologne, Germany, to mark the 25th year of Cologne and Beijing's “Sister Cities” relationship. Local Germans and Chinese were invited to participate.

Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in front of Cologne Railway Station next to the cathedral on September 15, 2012. The practitioners wanted to raise awareness about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The European Divine Land Marching Band performed at the event.

'国际人权组织(IGFM)理事会成员考伯先生,希望人们关注对法轮功学员的迫害' 
An international human rights organization council member urged concern for the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners

'国际大赦成员布理吉特(Brigit)女士,呼吁营救被酷刑折磨致死的法轮功修炼者秦月明的妻子王秀清和女儿秦海龙' 
Ms. Brigit from Amnesty International called for the rescue of the wife and daughter of Falun Gong practitioner Qin Yueming, who was tortured to death in China

'法轮功学员郭居峰先生,介绍他自己被迫害的经历,展板中他认识的十二名法轮功学员全部在迫害中失去了生命。' 
Mr. Guo Jufeng talked about being persecuted in China. All 12 Falun Gong practitioners he knew on the display board lost their lives due to the persecution

'法轮功学员刘薇女士,讲述了自己在将近一年半被关押迫害的经历,包括被强行作体检,被质疑与活摘器官有关。' 
Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Liu Wei told of her experience of being imprisoned for nearly 18 months

'旅居德国的著名诗人徐沛博士现场发言' 
Dr. Xu Pei, a famous poet living in Germany, spoke at the rally

'物理学教授朱振和先生,也是《马克思主义批判》一书的作者现场发言' 
Mr. Zhu Zhenhe, professor of physics, also the author of A Critique of Marxism

'内蒙古人民党主席席海明先生,亲身验证了中共邪党如何肆意虐待和迫害自己的人民' 
Mr. Xi Haiming, Inner Mongolia People's Party Chairman, personally verified how the CCP persecutes its own people

'欧洲天国乐团的学员们展示功法' 
The European Divine Land Marching Band demonstrates the Falun Gong exercises

 

 

'人们纷纷驻足签名支持法轮功学员反迫害' 
People stop to sign a petition to support Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to end the persecution

'华人静听真相' 
Viewing displays that depict the persecution of Falun Gong

German human rights organizations, Falun Gong practitioners who have been persecuted in China, and other organizations and individuals were also invited to speak at the rally. They told of the CCP's brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other groups and individuals in China.

The European Divine Land Marching Band played several classical pieces and demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises. Many citizens and tourists stopped to observe the activities. Many people were appalled to learn that such a peaceful practice has been persecuted by the CCP for more than 13 years and that the persecution is still ongoing.

Practitioners passed out informational flyers to passersby. Many Germans learned the facts and signed a petition to call for an end to the ongoing persecution. Many Chinese who came to take part in the festival or were just visiting Cologne also stopped to view the displays or speak with practitioners. About 30 Chinese declared their resignations from the CCP and its organizations that same day.

A German and his Korean wife were impressed by the practitioners' exercise demonstration and had a long conversation with a practitioner to learn about Falun Gong. They felt this was genuine Chinese culture and also the most memorable thing at this festival.

Local TV station WDR and a local newspaper covered the event.