(Minghui.org) “I hope you persevere and continue holding rallies here every year, so that more people like me who didn’t know about this persecution in China can learn the facts,” said Richard. He was working in a Houston library when he saw Falun Gong practitioners’ rally in front of City Hall on July 15 that exposed the 27-year-long persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Exiled Chinese writer Mr. Zhao addressed the rally and said, “Ending this tragedy is not just Falun Gong practitioners’ responsibility, nor is it only the responsibility of dissidents or a particular group of victims. Rather, it is the shared responsibility of all people who cherish life, freedom, and dignity.”

July 2026 marks the 27th year since the CCP began persecuting Falun Gong. Practitioners in Houston held a rally to expose the suppression that started in July 1999. Through group exercises, banners, and speeches, they told people what Falun Gong is, and by holding similar activities they hope to end the CCP’s brutality, including forced organ harvesting from practitioners.

Practitioners rallied in front of Houston City Hall on July 15, 2026. (Minghui)

A fierce storm raged before the rally began. Despite the wind and rain, the practitioners calmly put up their banners and lined them up. Impressed by the scene, pedestrians, city hall staff, and even police officers on duty took pictures or videos. The storm soon subsided and the rally began on time.

Speakers at the rally included Falun Gong practitioners, and exiled Chinese writer and dissident Mr. Zhao. Several Falun Gong practitioners from mainland China shared their personal and family experiences of how they learned to be better citizens through practicing Falun Gong, and how they benefited physically and mentally. They also recounted the suffering they endured after the CCP launched its nationwide persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999.

“We are here to share our stories because Falun Gong has helped us so much physically and mentally, and it is also very beneficial to society at large,” one practitioner said. He called on people from all walks of life to pay attention to the CCP’s crime of forced organ harvesting, recognize the regime’s vicious nature, and help end the persecution as soon as possible.

On June 17, 2026, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced S.4009, the Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act, legislation aimed at censoring the CCP’s crime of forced organ harvesting. The bill will now proceed to the Senate for a vote. At the rally, some practitioners told passersby about Falun Gong and collected signatures to support the bill. Many passersby stopped to learn more and signed the petition. Some also listened to the speeches at the rally.

People view the Art of Zhen Shan Ren (Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance) Exhibition and learn about Falun Gong and the persecution. (Minghui.org)

Signature drive supporting S.4009, the Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act

Importance of Freedom of Belief

Brent Ranft, a local business owner, was among the many passersby who signed the petition. He said the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong was unjustified, and he hopes the regime will stop suppressing spiritual beliefs.

Business owner Brent Ranft (Minghui.org)

Although he wasn’t familiar with Falun Gong, Ranft said he had previously heard how the CCP persecutes religions. He knew China lacks human rights and religious freedom, and he was deeply saddened by this situation. He agreed with Falun Gong’s guiding principles: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and said people should follow them. “I completely understand your feelings and appreciate your peaceful resistance to the persecution,” he added.

Richard, who works at a Houston library, hoped such events could be held every year, “I hope you persevere and continue holding rallies here every year, so that more people like me who didn’t know about this persecution in China can learn the facts.” He also suggested that practitioners consider applying to the library for a space where they could introduce Falun Gong and teach the exercises, so that more people would have the opportunity to learn about Falun Gong.

Cherishing Life and Mankind’s Dignity

Chinese writer Mr. Zhao, who was imprisoned in China on charges of “subversion of state power,” also spoke at the rally that day.

“Today, I would first like to express my respect to Falun Gong practitioners who have persisted in opposing the persecution for 27 years,” he said. Twenty-seven years is enough for a child to grow up, for a young person to enter middle age, and for a family to lose a loved one during a long wait.

“Some have lost their freedom. Some have lost their health. Some have lost their families. Some have even lost their lives,” he continued. “But for 27 years, you have not stopped telling their stories, not stopped documenting this, and not stopped resisting being neglected. The body can be imprisoned, but one’s conscience cannot be conquered.”

Mr. Zhao addressed the rally (Minghui.org)

Mr. Zhao emphasized that ending this tragedy is not only the responsibility of Falun Gong practitioners, nor is it only the responsibility of dissidents or a particular group of victims. “It is the shared responsibility of all people who cherish life, freedom, and dignity,” he explained.

JeZelle (second from right) does the Falun Gong exercises (Minghui.org)

When JeZelle heard the exercise music, she was curious and stopped to find out more about the activity. A practitioner showed her the movements and she did the exercises.

Afterward, JeZelle said she felt very good and it was a wonderful experience. She thanked the practitioner who taught her and said she was interested in practicing.