Falun Gong Practitioners Participate in Peru National Day Parade (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) July 28, 2011 was the 190^th National Day of Peru. Many celebration activities were held across the country even weeks before the holiday. On July 17, Falun Gong practitioners participated in the Miraflores Parade and were warmly welcomed.

Falun Gong practitioners participated in the Miraflores Parade on the 190th Peru National Day

Close to 100,000 people watched the parade. Organized by supermarket giant Wong Incorporated, the parade is one of the highlights of the annual National Day celebration. Falun Gong practitioners participated in this parade last year for the very first time and were invited to participate again this year. During the parade, practitioners presented a waist drum contingent, and a “lotus flower” float, on which several practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises.

At 7:00 p.m. on July 20, local Falun Gong practitioners gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Peru to commemorate the fellow practitioners who have died during the 12-year persecution in China. On July 29, as the new president and his cabinet, along with newly elected representatives took office, the Peru Falun Dafa Association sent out congratulatory letters to these officials along with an introduction of Falun Gong and a brief summary of practitioners’ community involvement.

Posting date: 8/16/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/8/14/秘鲁国庆游行-法轮功受欢迎（图）-245374.html

Taiwan: Peaceful Resistance Rally Held in Taichung (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 16, Falun Gong practitioners from Taichung, Taiwan, held a rally and a candlelight vigil at Wenhsin Forest Park, peacefully resisting the 12-year-long persecution of Falun Gong in China. People from all walks of life in Taichung—including medical fields, the law, academia, education, and business—came to the rally to express their support for Falun Gong. The attendees held banners to bring more attention to the persecution of Falun Gong.

The press conference at the rally. Attendees included a judge, college professors, and city council members.

Mr. Kao Chiajun, the trustee of the Association of Medicine in Taichung, said that he always accepts Falun Gong practitioners' invitations to all kinds of activities, because they are the best organized and most peaceful.

Mr. Kao

Mr. Kao expressed his concern about the organ harvesting. “Friends of mine in the medical community didn't believe it at first. Later, more and more evidence emerged, which shocked them.” He said that it is intolerable that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes Falun Gong so brutally.

Mr. Kao emphasized that there is a lot that people can do to stop the persecution. He said that the former Soviet Union seemed to be strong, but it crashed over night, so as long as we persist, the CCP will crash, too, and Falun Gong's reputation will be restored. He also called upon his colleagues in the medical community not to help the CCP to persecute Falun Gong.

Professor Liao Yi'en from Chunghsing University spoke at the rally. He reviewed the history of how Taiwanese people have fought for democracy. He said that their experiences will give confidence to other Chinese people all over the world, including Falun Gong practitioners. He said that one of the purposes of the rally was to let them know that many people in Taiwan support them. He also thanked practitioners for their efforts.

Professor Qiu Taisan

Professor Qiu Taisan from Asia University is the chair of the department of Finance and Law. He was the vice mayor of Kaohsiung City, a prosecutor, and a city council member. He pointed out that the teachings of Falun Gong have been well accepted by society, but practitioners are still being persecuted in China. He said that the CCP has been violating basic human rights. The persecution, especially the organ harvesting, remind people of the Nazi's genocide and is intolerable.

Professor Qiu thanked Falun Gong practitioners for their efforts to fight for human rights. He said that, although the journey is long, justice will prevail if we stand together and persevere.

Mr. Li Tiansheng, a city council member, promoted the resolution that forbids human rights violators from China from visiting Taiwan. At the rally, Mr. Li said that more than half of the council members voted to pass this resolution. He hopes that the CCP would respect human rights and stop the persecution. Mr. Li also said that he refuses to visit China. He will never go there until the human rights situation improves.

Practitioners hold banners that read “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Stop the Persecution,” etc.

After the press conference, practitioners held many banners along Wenhsin Street. They also handed out truth-clarifying materials. Many local citizens expressed their support, encouraging them to keep up their efforts. Some drivers stopped and asked for Falun Gong materials, and some of them shouted, praising practitioners for their courage and efforts.

The candlelight vigil

After sunset, practitioners held a candlelight vigil in Forest Park, commemorating those who were tortured to death in China and calling upon the public to help stop the persecution.

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/18/台中反迫害集会-汇聚更多正义力量（图）-244062.html

Taipei, Taiwan: Candlelight Vigil in the Rain to Commemorate Fellow Practitioners Tortured to Death in China (Photos)

By Liu Wen-hsin
 
(Clearwisdom.net) At 7 p.m. on July 17, 2011, more than 1500 Falun Gong practitioners participated in a candlelight vigil to commemorate fellow practitioners who were tortured to death in China for not giving up their belief in Truth-Compassion-Forbearance.

The candlelight vigil and a press conference were held despite heavy rain. The atmosphere was solemn and touching. Two local TV stations and Liberty Times covered the event.

On July 17, 2011, more than 1500 Falun Gong practitioners participated in a candlelight vigil to commemorate fellow practitioners tortured to death in China.

Practitioners sitting in the front held portraits of fellow practitioners who were tortured to death in China by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For 12 years, Falun Gong practitioners in China have faced the CCP’s brutal persecution.

Candlelight vigil

Practitioner Liao Hsiao-feng read a commemorative statement: “Falun Dafa practitioners follow Truth-Compassion-Forbearance and have endured 12 years of brutal persecution in China. Facing the persecution, practitioners are still demanding that the perpetrators stop the persecution. Practitioners still advise people to understand the facts about Falun Gong and stop the persecution.”

Theresa Chu, spokesperson for the Taiwan Falun Gong Lawyers' Team

Theresa Chu, spokesperson for the Taiwan Falun Gong Lawyers' Team, said, “Falun Dafa has spread across the world. More and more people know the facts about the persecution. More and more people support Falun Gong. So far, the CCP has shown no signs of ending the persecution. We ask all the CCP officials involved to stop the persecution. Otherwise, history will try them.”

Gao Wei-bang, Director of the Victims' Association of Taiwan Investors in China

Gao Wei-bang, Director of the Victims' Association of Taiwan Investors in China, said out that he was running a business in China in 1999 and saw how the CCP slandered and persecuted Falun Gong. He stressed, “As long as the CCP is in power, the persecution won’t stop. Such a regime will soon collapse.”

Yang Hong-hsian, Director of Taiwan Cares China Human Rights Federation

Yang Hong-hsian, Director of Taiwan Cares China Human Rights Federation, pointed out, “I stand here to tell everyone that the federation cares about all human rights in China. As long as one person does have not freedom, everyone else’s freedom is threatened.”

Wang Chan-hsung, a lawyer on the human rights committee of the Taipei Bar Association

Wang Chan-hsung, a lawyer on the human rights committee of the Taipei Bar Association, represented the director of the association in greeting practitioners. He said, “I sincerely admire Falun Gong practitioners. You conduct this activity even in the rain to show your determination to stop the persecution and seek freedom of belief. Now the exchanges across the strait are very frequent. If the people of Taiwan people do not want to stand up to stop the CCP persecution of Falun Gong, who will speak up for us when the CCP state machine enters Taiwan? The CCP persecutes religious belief. I hope that the CCP regime collapses soon and that the Chinese people can have freedom of belief.”

Professor Wu Hui-lin, Director of the China Human Rights Association

Professor Wu Hui-lin, Director of the China Human Rights Association, called into question China's economic rise. He pointed out that there are severe social and economic problems in China and that protests have mushroomed. Many tourists from the mainland visit Taiwan and learn the facts about the persecution. He hoped that the tourists would bring the facts back to the mainland and tell their friends and relatives, which would accelerate the disintegration of the CCP.

One practitioner said, “As long as the persecution does not stop, we will continue our efforts to stop it.” It is a sentiment shared by all practitioners.

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/20/台北烛光夜悼-风雨中迎希望-244134.html

Malaysia: Practitioners Hold a Candlelight Vigil to Call for an End to the Persecution (Photos)

By a practitioner in Malaysia
 
(Clearwisdom.net) It has been 12 years since Falun Gong practitioners started protesting the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Practitioners in the Selangor Area of Malaysia conducted a group practice and held a candlelight vigil at dusk on July 17, 2011, in Taman Jaya, Petaling Jaya, to commemorate those practitioners who have lost their lives because of the persecution and to call for it to stop.

Practitioners in the Selangor Area in Malaysia do the exercises in Taman Jaya on July 17, 2011

Practitioners in Malaysia hold a candlelight vigil in Taman Jaya

A candlelight vigil in the Selangor Area in Malaysia to commemorate practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution in China

People come to learn the facts about Falun Gong

Local residents learn to do the exercises

The peaceful and solemn scene drew the attention of many. Mr. Fauzi, a Malay resident, learned about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China and said that Chinese people should enjoy freedom of belief and Falun Gong practitioners shouldn't have been treated this way. “Such a good practice that can bring people peaceful minds and improved health shouldn't be persecuted,” he said.

An Indian man said that people in Malaysia need such a good practice, because it can guide people to be good and improve their health.

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/19/马来西亚学员烛光悼念-吁制止迫害（图）-244126.html

Taiwan: Local Citizens Support the Peaceful Resistance of the Persecution (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 17, Falun Gong practitioners from Taitung, Taiwan, held a series of activities to peacefully resist the persecution in China, including group exercises, a candlelight vigil and passing out truth-clarifying materials. The activities attracted many local citizens, as well as Chinese tourists.

Group exercises

Chinese tourists watch a Falun Gong truth-clarifying film

Group exercises along the Chiben River, a famous tourist spot

Candlelight vigil on the banks of the Chiben River

In the morning, practitioners demonstrated the exercises in front of the train station, and played truth-clarifying films. Many Chinese tourists watched them. Some were shocked by the brutality of the persecution, which is being covered up in China. They asked for more detailed information about the persecution, and more materials for their friends and family in China. Many Chinese tourists took photos of the group exercises.

Mr. Lin, a local practitioner, said that many Taiwanese thought that the Chinese Communist Party had changed, but actually the human rights violations, notably the persecution of Falun Gong, are still going on in China.

Ms. Yang, a local citizen, was shocked by the organ harvesting. She said: “We have heard that it is really cheap to have organ transplants in China. We were wondering how they had so many organs available. Now I know the truth. Harvesting organs is inhumane.” Ms. Yang believes that everyone should step up to help stop the persecution. “Being quiet is helping the evil,” she said.

At night, practitioners held a candlelight vigil, commemorating those who have been tortured to death during the persecution.

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at  
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/20/台东法轮功学员反迫害-民众声援（图）-244168.html

Japan: A Grand Parade Held in Tokyo, Peacefully Resisting the Persecution of Falun Gong (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 17, Falun Gong practitioners from all over Japan held a grand parade in Tokyo, calling for an end to the persecution in China.

The parade

The parade started at 1:00 p.m. and traveled the busiest streets in Tokyo. The Divine Land Marching Band led the group. Following the band, practitioners held photos of those who were tortured to death. There was also a banner team. Several speakers broadcast the truth about Falun Gong and the persecution. Practitioners also handed out truth-clarifying materials.

Although it was 95 degrees, many people were out, since it was a long weekend holiday in Japan. Many watched the parade and read the Falun Gong materials. Many Chinese tourists and students were also happy to accept the materials. Several of them said that they wanted to know more about Falun Gong.

Many Japanese were shocked by the brutality of the persecution. A young lady said that she had been to China and had heard about the persecution. To her, it was unbelievable that Chinese people don't have freedom of belief. She said, “People in Hong Kong have freedoms, but people in China don't. Not only do they not have the freedom of belief, but the government also persecutes them. That shows what a tyrannical government it is.”

Over the last 12 years, Japanese police have helped to keep order and direct the traffic at every large scale Falun Gong activity. One policeman commented that he has seen Falun Gong many times. “I didn't know who they were at the beginning, but later I learned that they are very nice people. I have sympathy for them, and I also support them. I admire their peacefulness, solid belief, and courage.”

The persecution of Falun Gong is still going on in China. Mr. Dai Xianbing, a practitioner living in Japan, told the reporter that his brother, Dai Xianxi, also a practitioner, was arrested in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, on May 26, when he was passing out Falun Gong truth-clarifying materials. He is still jailed in a detention center in Dongguan. His family has called the police station, asking why he was arrested, but they've never been given an answer. They don't even know who is handling his case. On July 12, they were informed that Dai Xianxi was sentenced to one year of forced labor.

Mr. Dai Xianbing holding a photo of his brother, Dai Xianxi

Dai Xianbing joined the grand parade. He said, “I hope that more people will learn about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, which is still going on. I call upon all kind people to help stop it.”

Ms. Ge, a practitioner living in Japan, said that her sister, who also practices Falun Gong, was sentenced to three years for handing out Falun Gong materials. She is still incarcerated in Hebei Province Women's Prison. Her mother, a practitioner, is often harassed by local police. Ms. Ge said, “The persecution has been going on for 12 years. It is very meaningful for us to hold activities on July 20, so that Japanese people, as well as Chinese, will learn about it and help to stop it.”

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/19/法轮功学员东京游行-吁制止中共迫害（图）-244121.html

Italy: Falun Dafa Takes Root in Rome (Photo)

By a Falun Dafa practitioner in Rome
 

(Clearwisdom.net) Every summer, residents in Rome hold activities in the garden of Castle Sant' Angelo, located at the west bank of the Tiber River. On July 13, 2011, the government of the 17th District in Rome held a forum “Religions and Non-Religions in Italy” in the garden and invited Falun Gong practitioners to participate. 

 A Falun Gong practitioner speaks at the forum  

Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Zhao explained to the forum participants what Falun Dafa is: “Falun Dafa teaches people to follow the universal principle of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance in their everyday lives. The practice has attracted over 100 million followers worldwide. The practitioners benefit tremendously from the practice, both mentally and physically. However, former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a genocidal persecution of Falun Dafa on July 20, 1999, and intended to eliminate the practice. To date, there are over 3400 verified deaths of practitioners.”

Ms. Zhao learned Falun Dafa from her parents. “In early 1996, my mother was bedridden for months because of complications from diabetes. One day a neighbor suggested that she practice Falun Dafa. My father took her to the nearest practice site on a bike. Three months later, my mother’s ailments disappeared. She was able to cook us three meals a day. Her recovery got the attention of the doctors, her coworkers, and the neighbors. Many of them began to practice Falun Dafa because of my mother,” said Ms. Zhao.

Ms. Zhao talked about her experience as a practitioner after the persecution started. Between January and June 2000, the authorities unlawfully imprisoned her three times because of her belief.

“On February 15, 2000, I was on my way to Beijing to appeal for Falun Dafa. I was arrested because I was reading a Falun Dafa book on the train and detained for 15 days. I was accused of 'disrupting the public order.' A practitioner who was with me at the time was illegally arrested as well. She was six months pregnant and was forced to have an abortion in a hospital. On June 26, 2000, several police officers came to my house and took away my computer and Falun Gong books and videos. They took me and my husband away for 'disrupting the public order.' I was released in two days, but my husband was imprisoned for 45 days. On June 30, six police officers pried open my door and broke into my house. They took me away and locked me up for over seven weeks. I went on a hunger strike to protest the illegal arrest. They force-fed me four days later.”

According to Ms. Zhao, there are still many Falun Gong practitioners in China being brutally tortured and persecuted because they refuse to give up their belief in Falun Dafa.

  Posting date: 7/20/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/7/18/法轮功真相深入罗马社区（图）-244063.html

Thailand: Falun Gong Practitioners Hold Activities Calling for an End to the 12-Year Persecution (Photos)

By a practitioner in Thailand 

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 17, 2011, practitioners in Bangkok, Thailand held activities to call attention to the 12-year persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They asked people to support and work together to stop the CCP's atrocities. 

Practitioners in Bangkok, Thailand hold activities calling for an end to the persecution 

A practitioner speaks with passersby about Falun Gong 

Passersby look attentively at the truth-clarifying photo displays 

Practitioners do the exercises together in a Bangkok park 

A passerby learns to practice Falun Gong 

Vigil commemorates practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution in China 

The activities began at 5:00 p.m., as practitioners held banners reading “Only by disintegrating the CCP can the persecution end,” and other messages. They displayed truth clarification placards to raise people's awareness about the CCP brutality, and call for an end to the persecution. Practitioners also demonstrated the five exercises to display Falun Dafa's peacefulness and goodness. 

Many passersby stopped to view the practitioners' truth clarification displays and read the messages on the large banners. Some people took flyers and talked with practitioners to learn what Falun Gong is about, and learn about the persecution. Some people took photos of the practitioners doing the exercises, and showed support for the practitioners' efforts to end the persecution. Some learned to do the exercises while they were there. 

The practitioners held a candlelight vigil at dusk. Carrying wreaths with photos of practitioners killed in the persecution, practitioners commemorated those who have lost their lives for their beliefs. 

Background:

 

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its guiding principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice was first introduced by Master Li Hongzhi in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being, and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, are undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 110 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages. 

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. 

According to figures from the Minghui/Clearwisdom website, up to now at least 3413 Falun Gong practitioners are confirmed to have been persecuted to death. Experts estimate that the actual figures are much higher. Hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured in prisons, forced labor camps, and psychiatric hospitals. Moreover, the CCP-controlled military, public security, judiciary, and health care system have collaborated with each other to harvest organs from living Falun Gong practitioners in one of the most horrendous crimes in human history. 

For over twelve years, practitioners have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.

 

Posting date: 7/20/2011
Category: July 20-Persecution Begins
Chinese version available at
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/7/19/七二零反迫害-泰国法轮功学员集会（图）-244122.html