(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners participated in the annual Almedalen Week (Almedalsveckan), also known as Politicians’ Week, at Almedalen Park in Visby, Gotland, from June 22 to 26, 2026.
Every summer, political figures from different parties, as well as representatives from the business sector, the media, non-governmental organizations, and concerned individuals gather in this medieval city to hold forums and listen to debates and presentations, and take part other activities to address current social issues.
Because a national election will be held this fall, Almedalen Week was attended by people from a large variety of fields this year, with around 100,000 participants.
Practitioners Hold Various Events
Falun Gong practitioners held a rally, exercise demonstration, a seminar, and a film screening of State Organs to introduce Falun Gong and raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of this traditional mind-body cultivation practice.
Falun Gong practitioners raise awareness of the CCP’s persecution during Almedalen Week in Visby, Gotland, June 22–26, 2026. (Minghui.org)
People Sign Petition
Donners Plats at the city center sees the most visitors around noon. Practitioners held rallies, did the exercises, and collected signature there every day.
The stark contrast between the peaceful exercise scene and reenactments of the CCP’s state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting and torture caught the attention of passersby.
“What is Falun Gong? Why is it being persecuted?” were questions that many people asked. Members of various political parties, government officials, and citizens from different fields learned about the persecution, received information materials, and signed a petition calling for the persecution to end.
People chat with practitioners and sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China. (Minghui.org)
Political Leaders Voice Support
David Josefsson, Member of Parliament and member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Minghui.org)
David Josefsson, a Member of Parliament and member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), told practitioners, “It is very important that you come and participate in the forum week. What you are letting more people know about is very important. You are also reminding everyone that this is very important! This absolutely cannot be forgotten. I also believe that everyone that attends the forum will see Falun Gong, and are thus reminded to keep in mind the brutality of the CCP regime.”
Daniel Sonesson, leader of the Citizens’ Coalition party, voices support for Falun Gong. (Minghui.org)
Daniel Sonesson, leader of the Citizens’ Coalition Party and a candidate in the upcoming election, said that he’s seen practitioners’ events several times: “It is not surprising that the CCP treats Falun Gong as a threat. The CCP is an oppressive, autocratic, and extreme dictatorship—a communist dictatorship is one of the worst dictatorships.
“The fact that the CCP regime threatens Falun Gong, exactly shows that they are also concerned about what Falun Gong is doing. Therefore, no matter how vicious they are, Falun Gong [practitioners] should firmly believe that what they are doing is right. You should persist. Don’t give up, and instead, be stronger, expand your influence, and let more people know [about the persecution],” he said.
People Express Appreciation
Practitioners demonstrated the exercises in front of the information booth every day. They also handed out a variety of materials, spoke with people, and collected signatures on the petition. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful, and many people stopped to learn the exercises.
People learn the exercises and sign the petition at the Falun Gong booth. (Minghui.org)
A woman who has conducted research on organ transplantation for many years in Sweden spoke with a practitioner for a long time about forced organ harvesting in China. The practitioner talked with her about the persecution of Falun Gong, organ transplantation, and ethics. The researcher said, “This is a crime and everyone is obligated to stop it!” She also agreed that this issue should be widely discussed in Sweden, and hopefully, the non-consenting extraction of organs can be stopped through legislation.
Alex from Ukraine was happy to see that the there was a Ukrainian language Falun Gong website and that there are group exercise sites in his city. He immediately took photos of the website and phone number with his phone. He said he would contact practitioners in Ukraine when he returned home. “Thank you very much! Falun Gong brings hope to people who are surrounded by war,” he said.
Raising Awareness Through Various Means
Practitioners’ awareness-raising events also included seminars on the CCP, a film screening, and more.
After the seminar, Nima Gholam Ali Pour, Member of Parliament, continued to discuss the issue with China expert Mr. Wu. (Minghui.org)
Nima Gholam Ali Pour, Member of Parliament, after participating in the seminar, agreed that the topic was very important. He also said that he has proposed motions in Parliament to end forced organ harvesting. “I have proposed this topic on multiple occasions, because this kind of act that violates human rights absolutely cannot be tolerated. This cannot be allowed to happen. Once it happens, the international community must react, especially the democratic countries. We cannot abandon those people who are suffering from these appalling violations.”
Mr. Pour also shared that not long ago at the Parliament, he openly discussed with Minister of Health Elisabet Lann the crime of forced organ harvesting in China and proposed that the government take action. “That was a suggestion I proposed to the Minister of Health. I hoped to use that opportunity to emphasize using various measures, including providing guidance to the National Board of Health and Welfare, or having the board guide hospitals and agencies to avoid cooperation with Chinese agencies that are known to engage in these kinds of abusive acts.”
State Organs Exposes Ongoing Atrocity
Jessica (Minghui.org)
Jessica who is a nurse, brought her daughter and friend to watch the screening of the award-winning documentary State Organs during the forum week.
She said it is almost impossible for people who live in a free society to imagine that such dark and cruel things exist. “More people, especially young people, should come watch this film, learn about the issue, and cherish their hard-won freedom,” she said. She said she admired Falun Gong practitioners’ ability to hold fast to their faith and the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance despite the persecution.
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