(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in Washington D.C. gathered outside the Chinese Embassy on April 20, 2024, for a rally and group exercises to commemorate the peaceful appeal in Beijing on April 25, 1999.

Practitioners peacefully rallied outside the Chinese Embassy on the afternoon of April 20, 2024.

Several practitioners talked about their experience of practicing Falun Gong over the years. Twenty-five years ago, practitioners risked their lives defending their right to practice the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. A quarter of a century has passed, and practitioners continue to risk their lives opposing the brutal persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and helping more people understand the benefits of practicing Falun Gong.

Raising Awareness of the Brutality

Dr. Nie Sen, representative from the Washington D.C. Falun Dafa Association and Emeritus Professor of the School of Engineering at Catholic University, recalled the event in Beijing in 1999. Under the totalitarian ruling by the CCP, Falun Gong practitioners voiced their opinions sincerely and peacefully. Their rational demeanor surprised people both inside and outside China, and it brought hope for a better future.

Dr. Nie Sen, emeritus professor of the School of Engineering in Catholic University, spoke at the rally on behalf of the Washington D.C. Falun Dafa Association.

He said that the CCP’s nature of brutality and hatred could not tolerate Falun Gong and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Then CCP leader Jiang Zemin launched a nationwide suppression in July 1999, and a large number of practitioners have been mistreated since then for their belief. The detention, brainwashing, and torture have threatened tens of millions of practitioners. Over 5,000 practitioners have lost their lives due to the persecution. In 2023 alone, 209 have been confirmed dead according to information received by the Minghui.org website. Ranging between 23 and 93 years old, they came from various places in China with various professions.

Since the CCP continues to suppress Falun Gong with brutality and lies, practitioners from more than 100 countries around the world have been raising awareness of the tragedies, so that the atrocities could come to an end.

Visiting China to Show People the Truth About Falun Gong

Donna Ware, a long-time resident of Washington D.C., considered the peaceful appeal on April 25, 1999 an important event in Chinese history.

Ware learned about Falun Gong during a millennium celebration at the National Mall of Washington D.C. in 2000. Impressed by the profound teachings and easy-to-learn exercises, she felt as if she had been waiting for it her entire life. She quickly recovered from her illnesses after she began doing the five sets of exercises, and she felt a sense of inner peace. Several months later, she and her husband, both in their 30s, decided to do more to help end the persecution in China.

The couple went to China in early 2002, along with about 60 other practitioners. Some of them went to Tiananmen Square to peacefully appeal, while others went to different places in China and told people Falun Gong is good and it is practiced around the world by people of many races, ethnicities, and nationalities. Recalling her trip, Ware felt it was important to show people, by their presence on the square, what Falun Gong is, and refute the CCP’s defamatory propaganda.

These practitioners were mistreated in China. Some of their eyeglasses were broken by police officers and their clothes were torn. Considering they were treated this way as American citizens, Ware said it is hard to imagine the harsh persecution practitioners in China face.

After returning to the United States, Ware continued her efforts to inform people about Falun Gong and how the CCP suppresses the peaceful practice. She feels it is unfortunate that the persecution is still contining after 25 years, and she hopes more people can help to stop the nightmare.

Path of a Graduate Student

Jade Do, a George Washington University graduate, moved to the U.S. from Vietnam eight years ago. She said there were lots of challenges in a new country with a new environment. Facing a complex society, she became homesick with fear due to the uncertainties. A friend from her hometown mailed her a copy of Zhuan Falun, the main teachings of Falun Gong. She was quickly drawn to what was said in the book and began to practice.

Having been a practitioner for six years, Do said she really cherishes the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and applies them in her daily life. By doing so, she hopes to be a better person who is always considerate of others.

Looking back over these years, Do said she is fortunate to have found Falun Gong and become a practitioner. She believes the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance will help everyone regardless of their background, because they are universal values. If more people are able to embrace the practice, the world will become a better place.

Wisdom and Clarity in Mind

Duane Harper is a small business owner who began to practice in 2001. By following the Falun Gong teachings and constantly looking inward to improve himself, he found his health had improved, and he had more energy. In addition, his mind is now also clearer and wiser, and he has a better understanding of the world.

He heard about the peaceful appeal in 1999 when he first began to practice, but said he did not fully recognize the significance until he watched a documentary last year. He felt sorry for those who have been suffering at the hands of the CCP.

On the 25th anniversary of the peaceful event, Harper is happy that more people are paying attention to the persecution in China, and are willing to help practitioners who have been mistreated for their faith.

Anna works for the federal government and she began to practice Falun Gong 27 years ago. She said her health and moral values have improved dramatically. Falun Gong not only offers spiritual guidance, but also brings her better physical health, a happy life, and clarity of mind.

People in a free society may not understand how badly practitioners are treated in China for their belief. Anna said her parents were from the Soviet Union, and they are not practitioners. Nonetheless, they agree with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and believe that Falun Gong will benefit both practitioners and society. Not everyone will practice Falun Gong, and those who support the practice out of their conscience will also be blessed, Anna added.