Simon Gustafsson follows his parents to the exercise site; the balloon in his hand has the three principles of Falun Gong written on it,

Truthfulness, Kindness and Tolerance are the three principles of Falun Gong. On Saturday, Falun Gong practitioners from Kalmar and all over Sweden were celebrating the fifth anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to Kalmar city.

Passers-by in the city’s park can obtain leaflets and learn why Falun Gong practitioners think it is good. Music and songs that are playing describe the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners started by the Chinese government.

Four years of the persecution
“Five years of acknowledgement in Kalmar but four years of persecution in China” is the main theme of today’s activity.

When the clock strikes midday, Falun Dafa practitioners around the world sit peacefully in meditation together. Anneli Gustafsson said, “We will fill ourselves with righteous thoughts. By doing so the evil will have no space to stay.”

Monica Parkston, a veteran practitioner, could you tell me why you began to practise Falun Gong? “I used to meditate and practise yoga, but I expected to benefit more. So I continued to seek. After I practised Falun Gong, I felt healthier, more forbearing and relaxed in this stressful life.”

Chinese government used to encourage and support Falun Gong
One of the practitioners, Gunnel Gostasson said, “I used to practise other Qigong and then I took a weekend class of Falun Gong. Originally Falun Gong was allowed in China because they found the exercises could improve a practitioners’ health. The Chinese government also encouraged it.”

About 100,000,000 people used to do Falun Gong exercises
About 100 million: the immense number of Falun Gong practitioners exceeded the membership of the Chinese Communist Party, and that caused the Chinese government to change their attitude, so Falun Gong practitioners believe.

“After they outlawed the exercisse, practitioners were deprived of their basic human rights and persecuted, even practitioners outside of China are not excluded.” Gunnel Gostasson went on to say, “That is because of fear. Though Falun Gong is non-political and only interested in self cultivation, they did not believe it.”

She also mentioned that people’s suspicious attitudes and a biased viewpoint had added to this.

Brutal treatment in detention centres
Ulrik Dahlgren comes from Kalmar and understands the cruelness of the persecution well. He is one of the three Swedish practitioners who were arrested by Chinese police last year after practising the exercises on Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

He tells people about the brutal treatment he suffered throughout his five days in detention.