(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in five counties and cities in southern Taiwan, including Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung, held a candlelight vigil on July 15, 2023, to mourn victims of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa that has gone on for the past 24 years.
The activities were held simultaneously in Chiayi’s Chung Cheng Park, Tainan’s Dongning Park, Kaohsiung’s Fengling Plaza, Pingtung’s Millennium Park, and Taitung’s Seaside Park from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Practitioners also demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises and played videos to inform the public about the persecution. Many elected officials, experts, scholars, and other well-known people from southern Taiwan expressed solidarity with Falun Gong practitioners and condemned the CCP’s ongoing atrocities.
Falun Gong practitioners in five counties and cities in southern Taiwan, including Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung, held a candlelight vigil on July 15, 2023.
Group practice of Falun Gong exercises
Elected officials, experts, scholars, and other well-known people from southern Taiwan expressed solidarity with practitioners and condemned the CCP’s ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa.
Kaohsiung City Councilor Chen Huiwen, who has supported Falun Gong’s protesting the persecution for many years, said, “I admire Falun Gong practitioners’ unyielding spirit and perseverance in this ongoing persecution. Over the years, Falun Gong practitioners have protested the CCP’s persecution peacefully and rationally. The practitioners called for establishing freedom of belief and for promoting the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I am very moved by their efforts to raise the awareness of ordinary people, who are walking the streets and alleys, no matter if they face wind, rain or sunshine.”
Chen continued, “I would like to be a part of this effort and stand with everyone to oppose the persecution. Now, one can find more governments and parliaments supporting legislation to condemn the CCP’s organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners. When the forces of justice from all over the world gather to condemn the CCP in one voice, the CCP will definitely disintegrate.”
Taitung County Councilor Chang Guo-Chou expressed his condolences to the Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted to death. He said, “Falun Gong has been persecuted for 24 years. Yet, Falun Gong practitioners persist in promoting the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to the world in a peaceful manner and protecting human civilization. This effort deserves everyone’s praise.”
Taitung County Councilor Jian Wei-guo said, “Falun Gong practitioners have been treated extremely unfairly by the CCP over the past 20 years. We here condemn the CCP’s continued atrocities and call on the CCP to stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners.”
In the evening, after the rain had stopped in southern Taiwan, practitioners demonstrated the five sets of Falun Dafa exercises to passersby. They also played videos at the venue to raise awareness of the persecution in China.
Falun Gong practitioners distribute copies of Minghui Weekly.
Cheng, who works as an assistant manager in a large bank, went to the event with his family, who practice Falun Dafa. He said, “For 17 years, I have been supporting my wife and children in their cultivation. Falun Gong teaches Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It is helpful for self-cultivation and physical health, so I encourage my two children to practice.”
Chan, a nearby resident, received a copy of Minghui Weekly from a practitioner. He had heard from friends that practicing Falun Gong was good, so he decided to come to the event. He took out his phone to take pictures. Chan said, “I saw TV reports that China suppresses Falun Gong and persecutes religious beliefs. Many were persecuted to death. I also heard about the CCP’s organ harvesting. The whole world now resists the CCP.”