(Minghui.org) More than 6,000 Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) practitioners from around the world held a march in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, June 20, to draw attention to the 19-year persecution of Falun Gong in China and to call for support in bringing about its end.
Falun Gong practitioners from around the world march in Washington D.C. to raise awareness of the persecution in China.
Led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, the march took off from Capitol Hill, traveled along Pennsylvania Ave., Constitution Ave., and ended at the Washington Monument.
Practitioners in the march carried pictures of those who lost their lives during the persecution, while others carried banners calling upon the public to recognize the evil nature of the Communist Party.
The practitioners' message was warmly echoed by spectators and passersby.
Ms. Zhang from Beijing said she was deeply moved and stirred by the truth revealed in the march.
“Any Chinese would be shocked by it, because you cannot see this in China.” she said, “But it is important for Chinese people to know the truth.”
“Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the universal value,” she added. “Everybody would agree.”
A Chinese tourist takes pictures of the Falun Gong march.
Many passersby said that they believe that it is important to expose the true nature of the Communist Party.
Daydeon Baron-Galdadi, a college student, agrees with the message on the banners, “Humanity’s Only Hope Is to Return to Tradition” and “The Evil Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World.”
Alan Hamilton said he saw the banner that reads “Communism’s Ultimate Goal: Destroy the Human Race,” and agrees. He believes that it is important to expose the nature of the Communist Party.
Patrick Briney had heard about the persecution of Falun Gong and believes that Falun Gong practitioners are a peaceful group. He was glad to see the march drawing attention to the persecution in China.
Sabrina (right) from Switzerland said that the march is a great way to deliver a message. Her friend Jackie, from Washington D.C., said that she is concerned about the persecution in China.
Luis Tolar (right) said the messages expressed in the march are clear and bring hope to society. His friend Cindy Hody, a professor at the University of Maryland, agreed.
Falun Gong Practitioner: “I hope everybody will pay attention to the persecution.”
Fourteen-year-old Tian traveled from England to play in the Tian Guo Marching Band. He has played clarinet in the band for six years. Tian has performed in similar marches in England, Germany, France, and America.
“Performing clarinet in these marches is fun,” he said. “More importantly, it helps to raise public awareness of the persecution.”
“I am glad to see that people like our performances,” he added. “They smiled and applauded.”
Jerome, 27, from Canada, who has practiced Falun Gong for five years, is thankful to the practice for helping him quit smoking and drugs.
Elad hopes that everybody will pay attention to the persecution.
Elad, a high school teacher from Israel, said that the reason he took part in the march was to let more people know about the persecution.
“The persecution is sustained by the Communist Party's lies. It is against humanity. We should not keep silent,” he said. “We cannot live in peace, do business with China, and ignore the human rights crisis [there].”
Elad has practiced Falun Gong for nine years. He tells his students that if everyone followed Falun Gong's principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, the world would be a better place.
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