(Minghui.org) “Look, they’re meditating. Falun Dafa? What kind of practice is this?”

“In China, they actually harvest organs from living people! That’s horrifying and cruel!” piped up another bystander.

These remarks were heard on July 19, 2025, at Marktstätte, the central plaza of Konstanz, a city on the German-Swiss border, as people commented on the scene before them. Many could not understand the connection between peaceful meditation and live organ harvesting.

People accepted the flyers Falun Dafa practitioners were handing out and learned that the day marked the 26th anniversary of practitioners’ peaceful resistance to the persecution. Practitioners from Germany and Switzerland displayed banners and demonstrated the exercises to show the beauty of Falun Dafa, while exposing the crimes of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has been persecuting Falun Dafa since July 20, 1999, including harvesting practitioners’ organs for profit. They hoped more people would sign four petitions urging the governments of Germany, Switzerland, and other countries to take action to stop the persecution and organ harvesting crimes.

The exercise demonstration at Marktstätte in Konstanz attracted many people who were curious about Falun Dafa.

After hearing about the persecution of Falun Dafa and practitioners’ continued efforts to resist it, people signed a petition to support them and to demand an end to the CCP’s organ harvesting crimes.

It was a windy afternoon, but practitioners marched through the old town with banners that read: “Falun Dafa Is Good” and “Let’s Work Together to Stop the CCP’s Persecution of Falun Dafa.”

Practitioners peacefully marched through the old town on July 20.

Teacher: Following Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Can Improve Our Lives

Vocational school teacher Ellen Finus, who has practiced yoga for over 20 years and is familiar with qigong, had some understanding of Falun Dafa after talking with practitioners. “The practice is so peaceful, and it can benefit both body and mind.” Regarding Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, she said admiringly, “If each of us thinks and acts this way, our lives would be better. I’m very sure of that.”

Finus believed that practitioners, guided by Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, make independent judgments, something that the CCP feels, “It cannot control, manipulate, or influence.” She commented that the persecution proves the CCP “Knows the power of these practitioners. Those in power are very aware of this extraordinary strength and are afraid of it, especially when many people step forward to support them.

“We need to make clear that the CCP is not supported. We know what it’s doing, and we do not accept it.” After signing the petition, she expressed hope that all the signatures would urge the German federal government to pressure the CCP politically and economically to stop persecuting Falun Dafa.

She looked at the informational materials, including information about free online instruction, and said, smiling, “To me, this is a gift—really good. I’m very happy. Falun Dafa is truly beautiful.”

We Should Help Falun Gong Practitioners End the Persecution

“I had no idea that, in some parts of the world, the Chinese government is actually harvesting organs from living people. That’s simply, completely outrageous. That’s pure torture. It’s terrifying!” said Faouzia Boinali, who works in pharmacovigilance research in the Swiss pharmaceutical industry. She was shocked to learn about the CCP’s crimes that target Falun Dafa.

Boinali signed the petition to oppose live organ harvesting. She said, “We should all sign to oppose this. I think we should all stand up against it.” She added, “I’ll look into whether I can do more to support these practitioners or help stop the persecution. I think they should be supported. They deserve our help.”

Although this was the first time she had ever heard about Falun Dafa, Boinali said, “It’s very good. Each of us should take time to truly reflect, take time to think peacefully.” Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance really resonated with her: “Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. What I see is all positive, very beautiful. We should all have kindness. Our minds should be filled with positive thoughts, and we should not use negative thinking against others.”

“This [CCP] regime should not exist. The CCP should be put in prison because they know exactly what’s happening. We should stop all of this. It’s terrible that many countries in the world are still supporting the CCP!”

Office Worker: Let More People Know and Help Stop the Persecution

Armin Kunz, who works in IT at an insurance company, said, “Many governments support each other, so we citizens must take a stand.” As he signed, he said, “I want to take a stand: this [forced organ harvesting] is unacceptable. People know what’s going on and are aware of the global consequences. People are waking up. Forced organ harvesting is a severe violation of human rights, an unthinkable crime of extreme cruelty. Something must be done to stop it.”

Kunz took extra flyers and said, “I want more people to know what’s happening in the world so they can take action, too. It would be even better if more events like this were held.”

A couple from Bavaria, the Kapps, who were on vacation, also found the CCP persecution and live organ harvesting “horrifying, truly brutal.” They said, “We’re happy to sign in support and hope it will bring change.”

They also hoped their signatures would “draw attention. We hope more people will pay attention to this issue and that more people will act to stop these crimes. This topic should be aired on TV so that people can see it. It’s very important.” They even described a nearby city in detail, suggesting that similar events should be held there so that more people can learn the truth.

Veteran: Please Persist

For 26 years, Falun Gong practitioners have been working tirelessly to help people learn the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong and to call for it to end. They use peaceful means such as information days, parades, and long-term presence outside Chinese embassies and consulates. Even in China, where the persecution is severe, practitioners have never given up and continue their efforts to expose the truth and counter the CCP’s lies.

Jill, who is veteran, has long been interested in China and Asia, including its history and religious beliefs. She said, “That’s one of the oldest, high-level cultures. And now this persecution is happening. It’s unacceptable. People must not be oppressed, and their rights must not be taken away. I’m very happy to help.”

Hearing about practitioners’ 26-year resistance and seeing the event, Jill said, “Very good, very, very good. It lets many people know this problem [the persecution of Falun Dafa] exists.” She told the practitioners, “I hope you succeed. Please persist.”

German Youth: The Crime of Live Organ Harvesting Will Ultimately Be Stopped

Apu, Matti, and Leon, all students, had heard about Falun Gong at an information event in the past and signed to support practitioners. On the day of the event, they signed the latest petition.

One of them hoped that, with all the signatures, “The live organ harvesting can be completely stopped. Realistically, it may be difficult, especially when facing a regime.” One said and the others agreed, “We are very optimistic. We believe the organ harvesting will end, and this will absolutely happen.”

Looking at the large banner depicting practitioners doing the exercises and the many other display boards, Leon, who is getting ready to graduate from high school, said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Apu, who is studying nursing, said, “It’s great to hold the event downtown. Many people will see it.

“With people like this [Falun Dafa practitioners] putting in so much effort and taking the time to build such a large information booth, it’s very important.” Matti, who studies economics, added, “These images have a deep impact. Once people see them, they’ll remember. Something that shouldn’t be happening in this world is happening, and we need to act to stop it.”