(Minghui.org) Practitioners did the Falun Dafa exercises and raised awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution during an event at Newmarket in Auckland on April 21, 2024, to commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the April 25 Appeal.

Group practice at Newmarket in Auckland on April 21, 2024

Practitioners displayed banners at Newmarket to tell people about the persecution.

People sign the petition calling to end the CCP’s persecution.

Human Rights Lawyer: April 25 is Significant

Human rights lawyer Kerry Gore hopes everyone will work together to end the persecution.

Human rights lawyer Kerry Gore said, “Today we mark the appeal on April 25, 1999. This date is significant because on this occasion some 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners peacefully appealed at the State Council’s Appeals Office near Zhongnanhai, Beijing for the release of Falun Gong practitioners unlawfully detained in Tianjin. They were successful in securing their release. Unfortunately, on July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party commenced its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. That persecution continues to this day.

“In spite of the risk of unlawful arrest, illegal detention, physical torture, beatings, and involuntary live organ harvesting of their vital organs, Falun Gong practitioners in China continue to try to live in accordance with the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.

“These virtues or moral principles are of course not only for Falun Gong practitioners, but beneficial for us all, and society as a whole.

“With truthfulness there can be trust and faith in each other. With compassion (or benevolence) there can be good will and understanding. With Forbearance, there can be sacrifice, selflessness, and altruism.

“These are the same virtues displayed by the Falun Gong practitioner who assembled in Beijing some 25 years ago. And so we acknowledge them, and especially the Falun Gong practitioners in China who practice their faith in spite of the risk of persecution and loss of life.

“I hope therefore that you will join the call to end this persecution.”

Justice Will Prevail

Matt Fraser supports Falun Gong.

Matt Fraser said he was drawn by the scene of practitioners doing the exercises. He said he attended a Shen Yun performance and liked it very much. He even bought a Shen Yun scarf at the theater. He strongly agrees with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and said that he has a pendant with the words: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance hanging in his car. He said, “The lack of the principles leads to bad things.”

After learning about the April 25th appeal and the practitioners’ suffering in the persecution, he said, “Peacefully protesting is a basic right.”

He said that the persecution suffered by Falun Gong practitioners in China is simply evil, but this kind of evil (the Chinese Communist Party) cannot last long because the evilness will die, whereas the truth will continue.

He encouraged practitioners, and said, “Continue to promote your good principles and the right to exist will win.”

Falun Gong is What I Need

Raissa likes Falun Gong.

Raissa from Brazil is a personal fitness trainer who works nearby and often sees practitioners practicing the exercises. She said, “They always leave a deep impression on people. I can feel that the meaning and benefits of the exercises are more profound than what we can see with the eye.”

Raissa said she was interested in the Falun Gong exercises and the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and thinks she needs them in her life. She said, “I come from a country full of energy and passion, and it is difficult to find the focus of my life. Moreover, my natural anxiety level is high. After I close my eyes, my thoughts are overwhelming and it is difficult to calm down. This (Falun Gong) is exactly what I need.”

Raissa said she would continue learning about Falun Gong. After hearing that many people’s illnesses disappeared after they practiced, she said, “I believe it. Just at this moment, seeing you makes me feel peaceful and calm, so I really believe this (Falun Gong) is amazing.”

Lawyer: Peaceful Protest and Assembly are Basic Human Rights

Lawyer Vicki Slater signs a petition calling to end the persecution.

Lawyer Vicki Slater said that the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are good values, and benefit society.

For the April 25 appeal, she said that peaceful protests and rallies are basic rights. People should enjoy freedom of speech.

“I don’t know why the CCP prevents people from practicing such a peaceful practice,” she said. “It seems like they are trying to control people. Anything that makes people think or ask questions seems problematic to them. This government has given me an impression that it is a tyranny.”

She said, “I support Falun Gong very much. Although I am not a Falun Gong practitioner, Falun Gong practitioners have not harmed anyone. They should be free to do what they want to do.”