(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a candlelight vigil and marked the 24^th anniversary of the April 25 Peaceful Appeal in front of the Chinese consulate on April 25, 2023. Practitioners commemorated those persecuted to death by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while calling for an end to the brutal persecution. Members of the community gave speeches and expressed their support for practitioners.

Practitioners recalled the April 25 Peaceful Appeal during the rally. Members of the community praised practitioners for their compassion and determination in peacefully resisting the persecution. Some had tears in their eyes and shared their deepest condolences for those practitioners who were persecuted to death.

Practitioners peacefully rallied and held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese consulate in Vancouver, Canada on April 25, 2023.

Sherry, spokesperson for Falun Dafa in Vancouver, said that the April 25 Peaceful Appeal was the biggest rally in the history of China where Chinese citizens defended their freedom of belief while peacefully protesting.

Sherry, spokesperson for Falun Dafa in Vancouver, said, “Over 10,000 Falun Dafa practitioners 24 years ago gathered at the State Council Appeals Office in Beijing on April 25, 1999, to peacefully request the release of 45 detained Falun Dafa practitioners and defended their rights to practice in public. This is the biggest rally in the history of China where Chinese citizens defended their freedom of belief while peaceful protesting.”

She continued, “CCP has been brutally persecuting Falun Dafa practitioners for 24 years. Today, Falun Dafa practitioners from Canada have gathered at the Chinese consulate to hold a candlelight vigil and to commemorate those being persecuted to death by the CCP. We shall remember practitioners’ bravery and how they have defended their freedom of belief.”

Epoch Times Spokesperson: “Practitioners at the April 25^th Peaceful Appeal demonstrated the spirit and principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

Tao Qiong, spokesperson for the Epoch Times, said, “The April 25 Peaceful Appeal is the most peaceful, rational and orderly petition activity since the founding of the CCP regime. Practitioners have demonstrated the spirit and principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

“Falun Dafa practitioners’ requests were not only rational, reasonable and legal, their beliefs of following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance also elevated people’s physical health and moral standards. There are only benefits to practicing Falun Dafa. Speaking the truth is every human’s basic moral standard. Practitioners abided by the principles of ‘Truthfulness’ when they compassionately voiced their rights. There was no violence, no arguments or hatred. This is a reflection of ‘Compassion.’ It is a heart of great ‘Forbearance’ when they knew there might be violence.”

She further stated, “The truth is, the journey that overseas Falun Dafa practitioners have been going through in exposing the truth about the persecution, is exactly the same as those practitioners who appealed in Beijing 24 years ago. They have displayed an elevation in the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

Former Chinese Entrepreneur: The Persecution Is Destroying the Backbone Of Chinese Civilization

Tom, a former and successful Chinese entrepreneur, attended the rally. He said, “I am very touched and have mixed emotions every time thinking about how over 10,000 Chinese people appealed at the State Appeals Office in Beijing.”

He said, “I also admire and respect those practitioners who have gone to Beijing. I cannot imagine that over 10,000 people appealed at the State Appeals Office. No one caused trouble and when the appeal ended, the streets were clear of all garbage, including the cigarette butts thrown on the ground by the police officers. This is the spirit of Falun Dafa practitioners who abide by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. This demonstrates the existence of a great Chinese spirit.”

Tom said he was heartbroken after learning the truth about the brutal persecution of Falun Dafa. “If the Cultural Revolution demolished our Chinese nation, then the persecution of Falun Dafa after the April 25 Peaceful Appeal broke the backbone of Chinese nation. If Jiang Zemin, former head of the CCP, had not persecuted or suppressed Falun Dafa practitioners, China and Chinese people would not have been condemned by people all over the world. It saddens me to see the tragic situation in China now.”

Tom said that spirit of Falun Dafa is hope for Chinese people. “I feel remorseful standing here today. I feel that I have not done enough for our Chinese nation, and I am even more regretful that I have not done enough for Falun Dafa practitioners. I will do everything in my ability to support Falun Dafa practitioners. The spirit of Falun Dafa practitioners is the only hope for our Chinese nation.”

Tom

As evening gently descended around the city, practitioners began their candlelight vigil to commemorate those practitioners who were persecuted to death. Tom participated in the candlelight vigil and held a picture of a practitioner persecuted to death. He bowed deeply to show his respect for those practitioners persecuted to death.

Hong Kong Immigrant: Falun Dafa Sows the Seeds of Compassion

John, an immigrant from Hong Kong, addressed the rally.

John, an immigrant from Hong Kong, said, “Practitioners have a steadfast belief in the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I have realized that each practitioner cherishes the practice in their hearts. It is not easy for them to express their sincere belief in Falun Dafa, but they’ve done it.”

Amid the unreasonable treatment and persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners, John said, “Falun Dafa practitioners have been persisting in promoting the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Their spirit is hard to come by.”

He continued, “The CCP regime is evil and it definitely does not allow any room for compassionate people. Therefore, they started forced live organ harvesting. However, practitioners have brought this atrocity to light and brought evidence to international human rights organizations. They have been persisting for 24 years since 1999 and their actions are made known internationally. I think that Falun Dafa practitioners are worth supporting because they can persist in their faith. We all believe that practitioners can persist on and sow the seeds of compassion to all.”

“Only with the disintegrating of the CCP will peace return.”

Well-Known Blogger: “Falun Dafa is positive and peaceful. I respect them”

Dennis Watson, a well-known Internet blogger, addressed the rally.

Dennis Watson, a well-known Internet blogger, attended the rally. He said, “The CCP is all lies. Falun Dafa practitioners are positive and peaceful people. They believe in telling the truth and being honest and do not believe in violence.”

“I respect and admire practitioners. I have always respected them. Falun Dafa practitioners are good people. No lies last forever. We see the awakening of spring with the blooming of cherry blossoms. I want to let you know that the world is watching you. I will do my best to spread your message.”

Lastly, he said, “Keep up the good work!”