Global Voices Support Falun Gong Through April 25 Commemorations

April 25th marks the 26th year since the peaceful appeal outside Beijing’s State Council Appeals Office where 10,000 practitioners gathered to request the release of 45 illegally detained practitioners in Tianjin as well as the right to freely practice their faith in response to growing restrictions from the government.

Then-Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji met with several Falun Gong representatives to discuss at the State Council, and it appeared as though the issues were resolved by nightfall with orders given to release the detained practitioners. As the crowd dispersed, cleaning up the occupied area, observers praised the gathering as the “the most rational, peaceful and orderly citizen petition in modern Chinese history.” 

However, in the following months, then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin overruled Zhu’s conciliatory approach and labeled the peaceful protest a threat. The regime then used the event to launch a brutal persecution on July 20, 1999, portraying it as a “siege”, aimed at eradicating Falun Gong. 

Globally, Falun Gong practitioners in cities such as New York, Toronto, London, Yokohama, Taipei, Sydney, and beyond have come together to mark this day with events and speakers, advocating freedom of belief, peace, and human rights.

Global solidarity for Falun Gong

Many members of parliament, government officials, and human rights leaders around the world have spoken out against the persecution of Falun Gong, condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) abuses and applauding the practitioners’ unwavering commitment to peacefully exposing the truth. 

Below are just a handful of the letters, statements, and speeches made by leaders around the world in recognition of this year’s April 25^th anniversary. 

United Kingdom

Jim Shannon MP, Chair APPG Freedom of Religion or Belief, stated in his letter, “As a staunch defender of human rights and freedom of belief, I urge the UK government to stand in solidarity with international activists and take a resolute stance against the CCP’s egregious human rights violations, including the horrific practice of forced organ harvesting targeting Falun Gong practitioners.

“The systematic persecution and exploitation of this peaceful spiritual group demand a clear and unified response to uphold justice, protect fundamental freedoms, and hold the CCP accountable for these atrocities.”

Bell Ribeiro-Addy writes, “I stand against the persecution of all people. This includes the persecution of people based upon their religion and gender. It is alarming to hear of the levels of religious persecution towards Falun Gong practitioners from the CCP. 

“Religious freedom is something that we in the UK are fortunate to enjoy, but sadly others across the globe do not. We as a nation must stand against all forms of persecution, including religious persecution and work as part of a global community to ensure that all are free to express their religious beliefs without fear of harm.

“I firmly believe the UK must be vocal in its condemnation of States and regimes that persecute people on the basis of religious beliefs. I will always campaign to protect freedom of religious expression here in the UK and abroad and believe we as a nation must do more to promote religious freedom.”

Mr. Benedict Rogers, the co-founder and trustee of Hong Kong Watch and vice chairman of conservative party human rights committee, wrote, “I strongly support the right of Falun Gong practitioners in China to practice their beliefs and live out their values of ‘Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance’. These are not only Falun Gong values – they are universal values which people of all faiths and none can and should embrace.

“Yet that peaceful appeal 26 years ago resulted in a horrific and brutal campaign of persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the CCP, which continues to this day. It has led to the arrest, torture, imprisonment and killing of thousands of people.

“And it has led to transnational repression against Falun Gong practitioners, alongside Hong Kongers, Uyghurs, Tibetans, other Chinese dissidents and critics of the CCP abroad. That has included the aggressive campaign by the CCP to discredit and threaten and cancel Shen Yun performances.

“So it is very important to use anniversaries like these not only to commemorate the thousands of brave, peaceful Falun Gong practitioners who stood up to appeal for their right to be able to practice their beliefs, but also to continue to speak out today for those who are facing persecution, imprisonment, torture, forced labour, execution and other egregious violations of human rights.”

“I look forward to the day when the values of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance” can be practiced without fear across China.”

New York

Martha Flores-Vazquez (left), New York State Assembly district leader for Flushing, and Samuel Ortiz (right).

Martha Flores-Vazquez, New York State Assembly District Leader for Flushing, and Samuel Ortiz, an assistant district attorney, attended the rally. Flores-Vazquez began by thanking the New York City Police Department and the 109th Precinct for providing security for the march.

“People call me a fearless community leader because I stand with you, because I believe in you, because I will protect you, and because I have zero tolerance for persecution,” Ms. Flores-Vazquez said. “I have zero tolerance for inhumane behavior and zero tolerance for people who hurt you. Falun Gong and Shen Yun, the greatest show in New York City, are threatened, and we will not tolerate this. My commitment is with you forever.”

Wei Libin, New York director of the China Democracy and Human Rights Alliance, addressed the rally.

Wei Libin, New York director of the China Democracy and Human Rights Alliance, spoke at the rally, sharing that when he arrived in the U.S. seven years ago, the first thing he did was complete his withdrawal from the CCP at the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party. That same year, he participated in the parade and rally commemorating the April 25 appeal and was interviewed by The Epoch Times. 

Wei said he only learned of the persecution of Falun Gong in 2011 after bypassing the CCP’s internet censorship. “The Chinese people owe Falun Gong an apology,” he said, pointing out that fear, ignorance, and prejudice have led many to remain silent, even complicit, in the CCP’s persecution. Yet Falun Gong practitioners have continually shown kindness through helping Chinese people and the world learn the truth. From developing software to bypass censorship to founding independent media outlets such as The Epoch Times and NTDTV, practitioners have provided the world with a breath of fresh air and helped millions of Chinese people withdraw from the CCP and its affiliated organizations.

Wei hopes that people understand and embrace Falun Gong, truly recognize the evil nature of the CCP, and find the courage to reject the regime, so that the Chinese people can live happy, free, and dignified lives.

Los Angeles 

Dr. Zheng Cunzhu, Chairman of the China Democratic Party United Headquarters, speaks at the rally.

“If we are not alert but allow the CCP’s authoritarian power to expand around the world, if Western countries do not change their strategy of appeasing the CCP and allowing the evil forces to exist, then in the end, it will spread to the world like COVID-19,” Dr. Zheng Cunzhu said.

“Everyone who pursues democracy, freedom, and faith lights a candle. This light will not go out even in the darkest moment.” Dr. Zheng stated that under the CCP’s control, the annual June 4 candlelight vigil is no longer permitted in Victoria Park, Hong Kong. Freedom and justice must be protected. Dr. Zheng hopes, “The candlelight can gather, like the sun, to dispel darkness, so that Chinese people can freely practice their faith in their own land.”

Yokohama, Japan

Hirosato Nakatugawa, a former member of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Nakatsugawa has been committed to exposing the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong for over 20 years. He noted that the United States Congress has introduced the Falun Gong Protection Act, which would impose sanctions — including entry bans and asset freezes — on individuals responsible for persecuting practitioners. He urged the Japanese parliament to pass similar legislation as soon as possible, beginning with a resolution condemning China’s human rights abuses, particularly the forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners. 

Mr. Nakatsugawa stated his commitment to defending Falun Gong practitioners and condemning the CCP’s atrocities. He encouraged practitioners to continue to work together, emphasizing that they are helping to change China and are making great contributions to world peace.

Taipei, Taiwan 

Shu Mei from the Taiwan Association for International Care of Organ Transplants

Shu Mei, chairperson of the Taiwan Association for International Care of Organ Transplants, said she was happy to see so many practitioners attending the event. “With no slogans or violence, practitioners gathered in Beijing 26 years ago peacefully with dignity and determination. Such perseverance is rooted in their courage of conscience,” she said.

However, just three months later, the CCP launched a brutal nationwide persecution, marked by detention, torture, killing, and forced organ harvesting. Shu emphasized that forced organ harvesting has become a grave ethical crisis for the global medical community. “Instead of remaining silent, we should follow our conscience to support the upright,” Shu said. “History will remember the choices we make and the actions we take. Let’s support the innocent and safeguard our moral principles.” 

Toronto, Canada

Mr. Lai Jianping commends Falun Gong.

Mr. Lai Jianping, a former lawyer in Beijing and independent commentator, stated that it was Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance that made the historic and peaceful appeal possible. He said, “They hold a belief in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in their hearts, so they are conducting peaceful resistance, and they always insist on using peaceful, rational, and non-violent methods in the process of protesting the persecution.”

Ms. Zhang Ke, member of the China Democratic Party Canada Committee, addresses the rally.

“Members of the Democratic Party are here today to attend this Falun Gong rally,” Ms. Zhang Ke said. “Why am I here? Because the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong began with the peaceful appeal by 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners on April 25, 26 years ago. The CCP’s forced organ harvesting started with the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. We are standing here today to support Falun Gong. Falun Gong is just, kind, and beautiful. Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are the principles of Falun Gong practice. Falun Dafa is good!”