(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in New York did the exercises and peacefully appealed at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza near the United Nations (UN) Headquarters during the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in late September, 2026. They called on international society to help stop the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution.

Falun Gong practitioners call on the public to pay attention to the CCP’s persecution during the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in late September, 2026.

Many people stopped to learn about Falun Gong and how the CCP persecutes it.

Stacie Richardson, an Australian singer and composer, said she was drawn to the practitioners as they quietly did the exercises. After hearing about the persecution, Stacie said it was powerful that practitioners expose the darkness to the light, and their appeal by peaceful means of connecting with the Creator would make a great impact at the spiritual level. “I think it’s a more powerful and positive way of appeal,” she said.

Stacie Richardson

Johanna Martucci from Venezuela was also interested in learning about Falun Gong after she saw the practitioners’ peaceful atmosphere. “It shows the humane side of the Chinese people,” Johanna said. “It’s so beautiful and admirable!”

Upon hearing that some people claimed practitioners’ activities hurt China’s image, Johanna said, “No, I don’t think so at all. They are simply protesting against unfair treatment. They are trying to protect their group and their fellow countrymen, and trying to spread the truth. I appreciate their politeness and brief introduction. I didn’t feel they criticized China. They are calling for justice. If I have to describe what they do with one word, it would be ‘brave.’”

Immigration attorney Ramon Picot Santone took photos of the Falun Gong practitioners as they did the exercises. He said he admired the practitioners’ peaceful appeal. “I think it’s great!” He told the practitioners, “Congratulations! You have done a great job!”

Immigration attorney Ramon Picot Santone congratulates practitioners.

Local resident Ana Rodriguez said the practitioners’ appeal was peaceful and orderly. She praised Falun Gong’s principles, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and said they were the foundation of humanity and that all people should follow them.

Ana said she could completely understand the situation of Falun Gong practitioners who had to leave their country because of the persecution. “Many people don’t understand the feeling of leaving home to go to a completely foreign country. I understand how much risk they have to take. Members of the United Nations should learn about this and pressure the Chinese government to stop the persecution.”

Ms. Martucci and Ms. Rodriguez talked about their family’s experience while living under communism.

Ms. Martucci said she left Venezuela 12 years ago. “Those who haven’t lived under socialism don’t know the problems. They should learn from those who have gone through the difficulties while living in a socialist country.”

Ms. Rodriguez said, “Some people think socialism brings equality, but this is not the reality. The government takes control over more and more resources and eventually makes all the decisions about how to distribute them. They will be able to control who to give the resources to. It sounds good in theory, but it has never succeeded in reality.”