(Clearwisdom.net) (Minghui/Clearwisdom reporter Shu Jing from Houston) To commemorate the eighth anniversary of the April 25 appeal in 1999 where thousands of practitioners appealed peacefully at the National Appeals' Office in Beijing, Houston practitioners held an event in front of the Chinese Consulate on the afternoon of April 25, 2007.

Practitioners commemorate the April 25 appeal in front of Chinese Consulate in Houston

The reporter interviewed some practitioners at the event:

Practitioner Mr. Xia said: "The peaceful appeal of the ten thousand practitioners on April 25, 1999, was a watershed in Chinese history. Such a large number of Chinese requesting freedom of belief had never happened before. It has been eight years since April 25, 1999. Falun Gong practitioners' firm insistence in their belief has never changed. They have helped more and more people learn the truth of Falun Gong and the persecution. The eight-year-long persecution waged by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has brought the CCP to the brink of collapse." Mr. Xia added, "For many years, the CCP has initiated many movements to destroy people's beliefs. The CCP tries to destroy theism with atheism. Without belief in god, people are more prone to losing moral standards. The persecution is a genocide against Falun Gong practitioners. This is shown in the evidence."

Practitioner Mr. Hui said: "Practitioners' peaceful appealing on April 25, 1999 was rational, reasonable and legal. The Chinese Prime Minister at that time handled it properly, but the CCP dictator Jiang used the incident to fool the Chinese people and begin the persecution. I was in China then. The police interfered with Falun Gong activities long before the appeal. The police department issued an internal notice in 1998, which slandered Falun Gong. Police proceeded a thorough investigation, and recorded the names of Falun Gong volunteer assistants. They also set up regulations that CCP members are not allowed to practice Falun Gong. The police interfered with the practitioners' outdoor exercises. Members of the public talked about these incidents at the time and most of them thought that practicing Falun Gong is beneficial, and banning the practice would be wrong."

Practitioner Ms. Tang commented, "Some people still think that the peaceful appeal is the cause of the persecution of Falun Gong. It actually isn't. The CCP persecutes Falun Gong because of its evil nature. The CCP promotes 'False-Evil-Fight,' while Falun Gong teaches 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.' This is the reason why the CCP is scared. The CCP has been in power for a few dozen years. Violence, lies and cheating characterize their rule. Movements that persecute people have never stopped. The brutal persecution of Falun Gong has caused suffering for almost all Chinese people. On the contrary, the spreading of the book the "Nine Commentaries on Communist Party" really helps people to recognize the evil nature of the CCP. Over 20 million Chinese people have quit the CCP and it's affiliated organization since November 2005."

Practitioner Ms. Peng added, "The peaceful appeal 8 years ago was praised by the international media. Today we came to the Chinese Consulate to commemorate the eighth anniversary, also to mourn those practitioners tortured to death or murdered for organs. We want to call for international attention to help to end the persecution."

Practitioner Mr. Song remarked: "No matter whether the April 25th peaceful appeal happened or not, the CCP would have suppressed the over one hundred million practitioners who believe in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance anyway. This is determined by the evil nature of the CCP. During the past eight years of opposing the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners have clarified the truth to people using all rational and peaceful means. More and more people have learned the facts and stepped up to condemn the CCP and praise Falun Gong. This is because of the power of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It is also because of the the diligent work that practitioners have done while facing hardship. By today, Falun Gong has spread widely in over 80 countries and regions, and it is welcomed by more and more people."

Relying on their righteous belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, practitioners all over the world have devoted much effort to stop the persecution. The CCP is fated for collapse because of its persecution of the truth.