Falun Gong Practitioners Across the Globe Commemorate the April 25 Peaceful Protest
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(Minghui.org) Last weekend, Falun Gong practitioners all over the world held various events to commemorate the 17th Anniversary of the April 25 Peaceful Protest.
The following is a snapshot of several events in North America, Australia, and France.
New York, USA
In New York city, nearly 1000 practitioners held group exercises and a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese consulate on April 24, calling for an end to the persecution.
Exercises in front of the Chinese consulate
Candlelight vigil in memory of those who were killed in the persecution
Ottawa, Canada
The event in Ottawa, Canada, was held in front of the Chinese embassy on the night of April 25.
Peaceful protest in front of the Chinese embassy in Ottawa. The Chinese words read “Commemorating the 17th Anniversary of the April 25 Peaceful Protest.”
Sydney, Australia
Practitioners in Sydney, Australia, held two events on April 24 and 25 in front of the City Hall and the Chinese consulate, respectively.
Exercises in front of the Sydney City HallSydney residents sign a petition supporting Falun Gong’s peaceful resistance.
Candlelight vigil on April 24Peaceful protest in front of the Chinese consulate on April 25Charatte Bonny and her boyfriend were shocked by the brutal persecution. They said they admire practitioners’ courage and peacefulness.Michael Allen said that organ harvesting is the most cruel murder in the world that must be stopped. He has seen many media reports on Falun Gong’s efforts of stopping the persecution, and he believes that more and more people will stand up to support Falun Gong.Petter Hughes said that many of his friends know about the organ harvesting atrocities and support Falun Gong.Bessie Dounis praised Falun Gong practitioners for helping the world to know about what’s happening in China.Gina Rhodes, who lives in an apartment next to the Chinese consulate, told her friends that Falun Gong practitioners are very peaceful people, and never made trouble. The Falun Gong meditation looks wonderful to her.
Melbourne, Australia
In Melbourne, practitioners held banners on Prince Bridge on April 25, telling the public about the persecution and the peaceful resistance. At night, they held a candlelight vigil at the City Square.
Many Melbourne residents signed the petition to express their support for Falun Gong.
At night, practitioners held a candlelight vigil at City SquareStephen Stasikowski said more should know about the organ harvesting. He and his friends believe that it is a shame if the western politicians don’t take action to stop the persecution.Ruth and her husband Eric, an air force veterans. They said they often pray for Falun Gong to be free of persecution and free to practice.
Paris, France
Practitioners from Paris held a rally in front of the Chinese embassy on April 25.
Group exercises before the rallyTelling people about the persecution
At the rally Mr. Tang Hanlong, chairman of the Falun Dafa Association in France, called upon the officials in the Chinese embassy to stop harassing practitioners.
Marie-Françoise Lamperti, the chair of Agir pour les Droits de l’homme (Acting for Human Rights), called upon the public to stand together and urge the governments to take action to stop the persecution.Raphaël Chenuil-hazan, the chair of Ensemble contre la peine de mort (Together against the Death Penalty), called upon the Chinese government to respect the law and stop the violence against the human rights activists.
