(Minghui.org) On April 25, 1999, ten thousand Falun Dafa practitioners went to the Central Appeals office near the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) headquarters in Zhongnanhai to appeal for the right to practice their faith. This became known as China’s largest, most peaceful act to protect human rights in history. On the anniversary of this appeal, practitioners around the world hold activities to commemorate the occasion. On April 25, 2021, practitioners in Hong Kong went to the liaison office to raise awareness of the ongoing persecution.
On April 25, 2021, Falun Dafa practitioners in Hong Kong held banners outside the Hong Kong Liaison office to peacefully protest the ongoing brutality.
Compared to the U.S and Europe, the CCP virus (coronavirus) is less severe in Hong Kong. The government, however, does not allow protests or parades on the island to restrict public gatherings. Since the enactment of the National Security Act, many democracy activists have been arrested. This has led to a decrease in public protests. In the West where the pandemic is more severe, practitioners are allowed to hold large-scale events. In Hong Kong, however, this is the second year in a row where practitioners were unable to hold large parades to expose the persecution.
Complying with the four-person limit on public gatherings, four practitioners peacefully protested outside the liaison office on the afternoon of April 25. They held signs that said, “Falun Dafa is good”, “End the CCP, Stop Persecuting Falun Gong,” and “Uphold Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Commemorate the Peaceful April 25 Appeal.”
Although there were only four practitioners, a dozen police officers in uniform and plainclothes, as well as security guards from the liaison office, watched them closely. Compared to previous years when members of the CCP-backed Hong Kong Youth Care Association came to disrupt the event, this year was quiet and uneventful.
Falun Dafa Association Calls for an End to the Persecution
Liu Huiqing, a representative of the Hong Kong Falun Dafa Association, read an open letter. She said, “Twenty-two years have gone by since the peaceful appeal, but the persecution continues. According to estimates from the Minghui website, since the start of the persecution in 1999, 4641 practitioners have been tortured to death. Last year alone, 87 were killed. From January to March this year, another 28 died due to the persecution.”
Liu Huiqing, representing the Hong Kong Falun Dafa Association, read an open letter during the protest.
Jiang Zemin, the former CCP head who initiated the persecution, gave orders to eradicate Falun Dafa in three months. Today, Falun Dafa is practiced in over 100 countries and regions. Liu said, “Twenty-two years have gone by, but Falun Dafa is still here despite the persecution. Instead, the CCP has reached a dead end by persecuting Falun Dafa and other people.”
Liu pointed out that the CCP passed the national security act last year by force. It has now arrested many activists, weakening Hong Kong's rule of law. This has allowed the international community to see just how evil the CCP is. She said, “America and Europe have passed laws to deter the regime’s influence and hold it accountable for its actions. The CCP is in an unprecedented crisis.”
She also criticized the regime for hiring thugs to sabotage Falun Dafa information sites recently. She calls on people to stop the persecution and bring the perpetrators to justice and thanked the Hong Kong police for recently arresting at least eight people suspected of vandalizing the information sites.
Delegate at Peaceful Protest Hopes Hong Kong Citizens Will Be Inspired by the Spirit of the Appeal
Mr. Shi Caidong, former professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, participated in the historic April 25 appeal.
Mr. Shi Caidong, who now lives in New York, was a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences on April 25, 1999, and was one of three delegates who met with Premier Zhu Rongji to convey practitioners’ requests.
He said that the April 25 Appeal was a great opportunity for the CCP, but out of personal jealousy, then-leader Jiang Zemin made the decision to initiate the persecution without seeking anyone’s advice.
According to Mr. Shi, the six other members in the standing committee opposed the suppression because Falun Dafa had become very popular in China, boasting an estimated 100 million adherents. Furthermore, many officials' family members in the central ministries and government practiced Falun Dafa. They clearly knew what Falun Dafa was.
“Jiang Zemin knew very well that practitioners were good people who lived by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance and were apolitical. But he could not tolerate its popularity and chose to ban it.”
He pointed out that Jiang Zemin and the CCP used the government’s absolute control of the media to vilify the practice. The CCP twisted the facts and claimed that the practitioners were “besieging” the government’s headquarters. Today, the persecution has extended to Hong Kong. Similarly, the regime said that the protesters in the peaceful umbrella movement in Hong Kong, the protesters against the extradition law were gangsters, slandering brave Hong Kong citizens.
“Perhaps one day Hong Kong will be like China and the internet will also be under the CCP's control. Will it also control the media? It seems to be moving in that direction,” he said. He emphasized the importance of media in promoting the truth.
Falun Dafa Is a Major Player in Modern China
Richard Tsoi, secretary of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, said that Falun Dafa is a major player in modern China.
Richard Tsoi, secretary of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, said, “Falun Dafa is a major player in modern China. Although practitioners cannot hold public events in China, overseas, and even in Hong Kong, they continue to raise awareness about what’s happening. Their faith emphasizes Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Their persistence is worth paying attention to. I hope their goals can be realized.”
Fight for Freedom of Belief Through Peaceful, Rational, Non-Violent Means
Emily Lau, former chairperson of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, expressed support for practitioners' activities. She said, “I hope Falun Dafa practitioners and everyone else continue to fight for their freedom of belief through peaceful, rational, non-violent means.”
Emily Lau, former chairperson of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, expressed support for the activities to commemorate the peaceful appeal.
Joseph Lian, professor at the University of Yamanashi and former columnist for Hong Kong Economic Journal, said, “I think that Falun Dafa can give us guidance in regard to fundamental beliefs.” He thinks the CCP has always viewed Falun Dafa as a thorn in its side. But the peaceful nature and kindness of practitioners are well known, making it difficult for the regime to take action against them. He reminded Hong Kong citizens to follow the moral compass of Falun Dafa’s beliefs.
“I think Falun Dafa encompasses a form of mental strength, including some very traditional Chinese ideology, which makes it extremely powerful,” he said.
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Category: April 25 Events
