(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held an event at Victor Steinbrueck Park on April 26, 2026, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day (May 13) and to wish their founder, Master Li, a Happy Birthday.

Victor Steinbrueck Park is near Seattle’s famous landmark, Pike Place Market. It overlooks Elliott Bay and is known for its open grassy area and two Native American totem poles. It’s a popular place for residents and tourists to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Practitioners took a group photo, respectfully offered their greetings to Mr. Li, and exclaimed, “Happy Birthday, Master! Falun Dafa is good! Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!”

Practitioners held activities at Victor Steinbrueck Park on April 26, 2026, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and to wish Master Li a Happy Birthday.

Conscience and Human Rights

Several practitioners spoke. Sasha said that for more than 20 years, Falun Dafa practitioners in mainland China endured persecution, including imprisonment and torture, yet they continued to express their beliefs peacefully. She pointed out that the persecution affects not only a specific group but also undermines the moral foundation of society as a whole. When kindness is treated as an enemy, she said, ultimately, everyone can become a victim.

Lilian reviewed the history of the April 25 appeal in 1999 in Beijing. She said that day could have become the starting point for China to move toward rationality, but instead the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) chose the path of suppression and began persecuting good people. She called on people to uphold their conscience and make the right decision, as this is a choice between good and evil.

Jim said that freedom of belief and freedom of speech are fundamental rights that everyone should enjoy. He said that when persecution extends beyond national borders, it also concerns broader issues of freedom and security. He called on all sectors of society to pay attention to the persecution of Falun Dafa, speak out for justice, and stand with those being persecuted.

Group Exercises Draw Attention

Afterward, accompanied by peaceful music, practitioners did the Falun Dafa exercises. Many people stopped to watch the peaceful scene against the backdrop of Seattle’s skyscrapers. The contrast between the calm exercises and the surrounding fast-paced urban environment drew many passersby, and some took photos or talked with practitioners.

Practitioners explained what Falun Dafa is and told people about the persecution in China. Multiple display boards neatly arranged along the sidewalk cover topics such as what is Falun Dafa, its worldwide spread, and related human rights reports and cases. The displays attracted much attention and discussion among residents and visitors.

People Express Support After Learning the Facts

Xiaoyang recently arrived in the US from China and was visiting Pike Place Market with a coworker when he noticed practitioners doing the exercises. He chatted with them, said he just watched a Shen Yun performance in Seattle two weeks earlier, and that it was beautiful and deeply moving. He was happy to withdraw from the CCP organizations he had joined.

Xiaoyang’s coworker, who is from Taiwan, said she had friends who practice Falun Dafa. She followed the practitioners’ movements as they did the exercises.

Local resident Reed saw the group exercise and asked why the event was held. Practitioners explained why they celebrated World Falun Dafa Day and told him about the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa and practitioners in China. Reed was very interested in learning more. He accepted informational materials and signed a petition to end the persecution.

A mother resting on a bench with her two young children was drawn to the peaceful scene of group exercise. She watched for a long time and talked with practitioners. When she learned that Falun Dafa is banned in China, she was very surprised, “How can a government prohibit people from believing in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance?” After learning more about the persecution, including forced organ harvesting, she said it was difficult to imagine, “People have the right and freedom to have religious beliefs.” She immediately signed the petition and said she hopes the persecution ends soon.

Many other visitors were interested in learning the Falun Dafa exercises. Some asked about the times and locations of local practice sites, while others said they wished to learn more.

Practitioners explained that World Falun Dafa Day is celebrated every year on May 13 to commemorate the public introduction of Falun Dafa in 1992. Falun Dafa is now practiced in more than one hundred countries and regions worldwide and has been welcomed by people of many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. By holding events like this, practitioners hope people will learn about Falun Dafa’s health and spiritual benefits and pay attention to human rights and freedom of belief.