(Clearwisdom.net) Practitioners marched in downtown San Francisco, including in and around the famous Chinatown, over the noon hour on October 15, 2011. They displayed the wonderfulness of Falun Dafa and exposed the brutality of the 12 years of persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They called for an end to the persecution and encouraged more Chinese people to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
Practitioners march in downtown San Francisco and Chinatown
Divine Land Marching Band marches in San Francisco's Chinatown
Practitioners do the exercises at St. Mary's Square
Practitioners holding signs reading “The world needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance”
A reenactment of torture methods that the CCP agents employ in its persecution of practitioners on a truck
People in San Francisco's Chinatown watch the march
Practitioners carry portraits of practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution
People from all walks of life support quitting the CCP movement
Practitioners march in downtown San Francisco and Chinatown
Raising awareness about the brutality of the persecution
Calling for an end to the CCP's brutal persecution
Ms. Zhang Hong, coordinator of the march said that the march had five components. They included the Divine Land Marching Band (composed of more than 100 practitioners); Falun Gong exercise demonstration; practitioners carrying portraits of deceased practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution, and a float upon which there was a reenactment of torture methods that the CCP used to abuse practitioners. The last was people from all walks of life holding signs announcing the amazing movement in China now where over 100 million people have announced their renouncement of the CCP and its branch organization.
Ms. Zhang said that as one of the series of activities held during the San Francisco Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference, the practitioners hope to raise people's awareness about Falun Dafa and the persecution
The march began at noon from St. Mary's Square, went along Stockton Street all the way until to near Union Square. Many tourists and Chinatown residents stopped to watch.
Two tourists from France told the reporter that they hadn't heard about Falun Gong before. When learning that Falun Gong is persecuted in China, they said they wanted to join the march themselves.
A retired gentleman who resides in Chinatown saw the messages supporting quitting the CCP and its affiliated organizations on the signs held by practitioners in the march, and said that everyone should have freedom of speech.
A student from another state told the reporter that she made a report on Falun Gong before and had learned about the persecution. She was shocked at the brutality of the persecution after seeing the reenactment of torture methods used by the CCP in the persecution of Falun Gong on a truck.
When the procession reached near Union Square, a couple from Australia showed surprise upon learning that the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong has lasted for twelve years. They showed their sympathy.
A policewoman asked the reporter what the organ harvesting depicted on the banners was about. She was appalled to learn that the CCP agents have systematically harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners and sold the organs for high profits. She thanked the practitioners for raising awareness about it.
Ms. Yu came to the U.S. four months ago and has participated in several marches. She was emotionally moved each time. Because that her family members outside China are Falun Gong practitioners, she and her family had been under long-term surveillance and harassement in China. The situation outside China is completely different so she cherishes every opportunity to express her belief.
Seventy-three year-old Mr. Meng held a sign reading “100 million people have quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations, greeting the new era in China” in the march. He began practicing Falun Gong in 1996 and has been greatly benefited both physically and mentally. He said that the march was grand and impressive and showed Falun Gong's widespread around the world.
“Many people made a thumbs-up gesture to us when our procession passed by, some applauded and some showed their support,”he said. “Through our truth clarification efforts in San Francisco, many people have gained a positive understanding of Falun Gong. Since the CCP's persecution is still ongoing, we call for an immediate end to the persecution, and hope more people to be clearheaded and see through the CCP's nature, quit the CCP organizations and stand with the righteous.”
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Category: Rallies & Protests
