(Minghui.org) On the evening of July 19, 2025, as a light drizzle fell, approximately 1,200 Falun Gong practitioners from northern Taiwan assembled at Taipei City Hall’s Civic Square. They gathered for the “26th Anniversary Rally Against the Persecution and Candlelight Memorial Service” honoring fellow practitioners who were persecuted to death by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for upholding their belief in the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Despite gusts of wind and rain, Falun Gong practitioners sat motionless in front of City Hall Square, creating a solemn and powerful scene. Taiwanese legislators, council members, lawyers, and citizens joined them in solidarity, calling on the international community to take a stand against the Chinese Communist Party’s atrocities and help end this 25-year-long human rights disaster.

Falun Gong practitioners held candles to commemorate fellow practitioners in China who were persecuted to death.

Representatives from all sectors in Taiwan attended to show their support and jointly called on the international community to face up to the atrocities of the Chinese Communist Party.

Falun Dafa Association Chairman: Let’s Light the Candle of Justice in the World Together

Xiao Songshan, chairman of the Falun Dafa Association, announced that on the eve of July 20 this year, Taiwan joined Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and other countries in simultaneous demonstrations against the persecution. Events were held in six major cities in northern, central, and southern Taiwan, uniting with the world to light candles for justice.

Xiao Songshan said: “This is a genocidal campaign that outrages both heaven and earth, the greatest human rights disaster of the 21st century.”

He urged the international community to continue speaking out. He commended the U.S. Congress for passing the Falun Gong Protection Act and the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act, as well as the joint statement by G7 leaders condemning transnational suppression.

“We gather the voice of justice here, and hope that kind people from all walks of life will speak out together to stop the CCP’s persecution of all mankind.”

Taiwan Legislator: I Hope the Light of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance will Illuminate the World

Legislator Chen Zhaozi encourages everyone to speak up for justice

At the press conference, legislator Chen Zhaozi expressed that, while she felt heavy-hearted, she remained resolute in her convictions and stood in solidarity with the event participants to oppose the persecution.

“Tens of thousands, perhaps even more practitioners, have suffered unimaginable persecution simply for upholding their belief in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. To this day, many people in China and other regions continue to face illegal detention, forced labor, torture, and even organ harvesting and other inhumane treatment.”

She strongly condemned the Chinese Communist regime for criminalizing freedom of belief, calling it both extremely absurd and outrageous. “Practitioners are peaceful and steadfast believers. Yet in a so-called powerful country, they are persecuted simply for practicing Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Such behavior will be judged by history.”

Chen Zhaozi called on Taiwan and the international community to take proactive action, from understanding the truth and promoting investigations, to holding those responsible accountable and sanctioning the perpetrators. “Let the practitioners who are still suffering amid this crisis know that they are not alone. Because of their beliefs, we will stand together to protect them.”

She concluded by saying, “I hope that today’s support and concern will reach the hearts of every practitioner who is currently suffering persecution. I also look forward to the light of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance continuing to shine upon the world, inspiring more justice and courage.”

Taipei City Councilor: Oppose CCP Atrocities, Strive to Stop Persecution

Taipei City Councilor Hong Jianyi pays tribute to all Falun Gong practitioners who uphold the truth and peacefully clarify the facts.

Taipei City Councilor Hong Jianyi has attended the July 20th memorial event to stop the persecution for years. Standing on stage, he expressed his respect and support for all Falun Gong practitioners.

“We must oppose the CCP’s atrocities, stop its organ harvesting, and end the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Looking at the photos held by fellow practitioners, I believe this is merely a fraction—perhaps one ten-thousandth—of the CCP’s persecution.” He also stated that the bill passed by the U.S. Congress is a symbol of justice.

Finally, on behalf of the Speaker, Vice Speaker and more than 50 council members of the Taipei City Council, he paid tribute to all Falun Gong practitioners who uphold the truth and peacefully clarify the facts, and called on the public: “Let us continue to work hard to stop the CCP’s persecution and forced organ harvesting!”

Taiwan Lawyers: Call for Legislation to Stop the Persecution

Taiwanese lawyer Chen Yishen said it is hard to imagine how many Falun Gong practitioners have been illegally persecuted.

Taiwanese lawyer Chen Yishen said at the press conference that the CCP’s 26-year persecution of Falun Gong is an unjustifiable and unwarranted illegal suppression. “Over a quarter of a century, it is hard to imagine how many Falun Gong practitioners have been persecuted and even lost their lives. This is a very regrettable thing.”

The Chinese Communist Party not only suppresses Falun Gong in China, but also attempts to extend its persecution overseas. Chen Yishen said, “The CCP uses the media, the internet, and even sets up public security stations overseas to harass Falun Gong practitioners and violently intimidate Shen Yun performers. They do this for one reason only: They want us to be afraid and remain silent, so that we will not spread the truth, because they are very afraid that the world will know these facts of human rights violations.”

Chen called on Taiwan to enact legislation as soon as possible, similar to the Falun Gong Protection Act and the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act passed by the US House of Representatives, to establish laws against cross-border repression.

President of the Taiwan International Organ Transplant Care Association: Revealing the Truth—Justice Cannot Be Delayed

Dr. Wang Shumei said that the CCP’s persecution is a challenge to the conscience of all humanity

Wang Shumei, chairperson of the Taiwan International Organ Transplant Care Association, said in her speech, “Countless practitioners who adhere to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance have been illegally detained, tortured, and even had their organs harvested while still alive. This is not just persecution against Falun Gong, but a challenge to the conscience of all humanity.”

She also invited the public to join her in supporting joint investigations and sanctions against the CCP for its crimes of live organ harvesting. “We will not forget, and we will not allow history to repeat itself. We will continue to expose the truth, push for legislation, and ensure that justice is served and conscience is not silenced.”

Young Falun Gong Practitioners: Let More People Know the Truth

Young practitioners who participated in this year’s activities shared their thoughts. Sixteen-year-old Xing said that more people need to know the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong. “I am studying film, and I hope that in the future I can use film to inspire people and let more people learn about Falun Gong.”

Ms. Peng from Hsinchu said that she made a special trip north to participate in the July 20 event because she wanted to use her actions to let more people know the truth about the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong. “We come to participate in this event every year, hoping to put an end to this persecution as soon as possible.”

As a public servant, Ms. Peng observed that many people around her had misconceptions about the Chinese Communist Party. “I came forward because I wanted more people to know the truth.”

Falun Gong practitioners from different generations and walks of life gathered by candlelight to mourn their fellow practitioners who have died as a result of persecution. With pure hearts, they shared a unified wish: for the truth to be widely spread, for people’s conscience to be awakened, and for the Chinese Communist Party’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong to end without delay.