(Minghui.org) The 80^th United Nations General Assembly was held at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York on September 23, 2025. Falun Gong practitioners gathered at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza that morning to do the exercises and peacefully protest to raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing persecution.

Samuel Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom came to the event to express his support. Many people who saw the protest and learned about the persecution said they hope the atrocities end soon.

Falun Gong practitioners held activities near the United Nations Headquarters to tell people about the CCP’s 26-year-long persecution.

Practitioners did the exercises during a peaceful protest to call for an end to the persecution.

Former Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Attended to Show Support

Samuel Brownback, former U.S Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, came to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the UN Headquarters to show his support. He condemned the CCP for brutally persecuting practitioners and said he supports their efforts to uphold freedom of belief. He said, “They [the CCP] are opposed to all religions, they’re at war with religion, and the religion they fear the most is Falun Gong … because it is so natural to China. It’s the roots of what the Chinese ancient civilization is about.”

Brownback is a former Kansas Senator and chairman of the International Religious Freedom Summit. He said, “I love these three words: Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance—they are about how to be a good person, about the historical heritage of Chinese culture, about a race with spirituality.

“What Falun Gong is doing is reviving the Chinese nation’s innate spirituality. It is a natural part of Chinese citizens, but the CCP continues to suppress and control this. Yet such suppression is destined to fail. China is at war with faith, and it is a war they will not win.”

Samuel Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, came to the protest to show his support.

Falun Gong practitioners also held banners on 2nd Ave and 52nd Street in Manhattan as part of their effort to tell people about the persecution. They said President Trump’s car entourage passed by and saw the banners with the message: “Falun Dafa Is Good,” and “Communism is a Demonic Ideology Seeking to Annihilate Humanity.” They saw President Trump smile and wave at practitioners who waved back.

President Trump and his entourage saw practitioners holding banners while departing the UN Headquarters. The President waved at practitioners.

Falun Gong practitioners gather at the UN Headquarters every year in September during the General Assembly to tell officials from various countries, their staff, and passersby about the ongoing persecution in China. They do the exercises, display banners, hand out fliers, and collect signatures on petitions which call for the atrocities to end. They also raise awareness through car tours. (Editor’s note: the cars carry signs which have information about the persecution). During the 2025 UN General Assembly which will be held September 23 to 27, practitioners will continue to hold peaceful protests every day.

Practitioners protested and did the exercises during the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2025.

People Should Support Falun Gong in Exposing the Persecution

Anuradha Thackeray said people should support practitioners’ efforts to expose the persecution.

Anuradha Thackeray is a member of the Thackeray family, a well known and powerful political family in India, and works in the real estate and international investment sector. She thought it was wonderful that practitioners were exposing the persecution, and said, “People should come and support this group. Organ harvesting is a horrifying thing. The most important thing is to let people know about it, make them aware of what’s happening in China—that innocent people are being murdered.”

After she watched practitioners do the exercises she wanted to know more about Falun Gong. She also mentioned that the principles Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance taught by Falun Gong are excellent, and kindness is most important.

Thackeray also said she will not allow the CCP to extend its persecution overseas. She mentioned that her family did many things to stop communism from controlling India. “This should be forbidden, and we should strongly express what is wrong. We cannot let the Communist [party] do what it wants.”

New York YouTuber Joins Practitioners in Doing the Exercises

Dave Willis, a New York YouTuber joined practitioners in doing the exercises, and did a live recording of the peaceful protest on his YouTube channel.

Dave Willis is a YouTuber who lives in New York. He joined the practitioners in doing the exercises and live-streamed the protest on his channel.

He said he was drawn by the banners exposing the CCP’s persecution and wanted to voice his support, “I want to join in to express my respect.” He was also drawn to the beautiful exercise movements, and said, “Amazing! I was drawn to it. I want to participate and find out more. I truly like this.” He said after doing the exercises, “I felt great. My body and mind were inspired and relaxed. It was indeed a beautiful feeling.”

He also said, “This massacre is still happening in China today—it’s not right. I’m delighted to help others know about this through my platform. I will help pass this information on my channel.”

When he learned of the CCP’s attempts to extend the persecution overseas, he said, “This is unacceptable. It also shows how evil these people are. They will not stop. Therefore everyone must continue to persist and remain strong.”

He praised the principles of Falun Gong – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, and said, “These principles are what people should follow in their lives. It can help you face everything. They are very important.”

Make More People Aware of the Persecution

Alyson Gerwig, a website designer from Ohio, has volunteered for a human rights organization for many years.

Alyson Gerwig said she hopes Falun Gong practitioners make more people aware of the persecution.

She felt sad after learning of the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong, and thought it was terrifying, “People should have freedom of belief, pursue inner peace, and not be suppressed by the government.”

She said, “I hope more people stand up to speak out and help others know about this, and share this information. This is very important. Power comes from every one of us.”

Shahrokh Khademi from Norway said the persecution is terrible.

Shahrokh Khademi, from Norway, said, “This is the first time I heard of this persecution. It is terrible! I hope things get better soon. Falun Gong practitioners should do more and provide information related to this on social media, so more people know about it. Spread this to all places in the world.”