(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held a candlelight vigil in front of San Francisco’s Chinese Consulate on the evening of July 19, 2026, to mourn their fellow practitioners in China who have died due to the CCP’s atrocities. The event marked 27 years of their protesting the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. Many people stopped to learn about Falun Gong and express their support.

Candlelight vigil in San Francisco  (Minghui.org)

Practitioners protested in front of the Chinese Consulate. (Minghui.org)

Jennifer, a local resident, said she and her husband were opposed to communism. She condemned the CCP’s atrocity of forced organ harvesting, and said that the peaceful protest was great. As a Christian, Jennifer said she agreed with Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. “Given the political conflicts and wars in today’s world, we need these universal values 100%,” she said.

People signed a petition calling for an end to the CCP’s persecution. (Minghui.org)

Greg, Jennifer’s husband, praised the Falun Gong exercises. He said that the Chinese people were kind and excellent, but the Chinese government didn’t treat them well. “The reason the United States is great is because the government’s power is limited and people have a high-level of freedom,” Greg said. “I hope China will head in this direction in the future and give people more freedom.” Referring to the CCP’s forced organ harvesting, Greg said, “The perpetrators will pay for what they did!”

Amit Lamba, a businessman from India, was deeply saddened after hearing that the persecution had been ongoing for 27 years. “It’s hard to believe forced organ harvesting is going on in the world today! I can feel they are kind people. What can I do to help them?” he asked. Amit shared his understanding about meditation and self-cultivation, and also signed the petition calling to stop the CCP’s persecution.

Ali Schlageter, a local resident, said this was the first time she had heard about the persecution. “Thank you for being here and telling us what’s happening in China, especially the forced organ harvesting.” She really liked the Falun Gong exercises. “I can feel some kind of pure energy, and their wish to be better and healthier. I’m inspired. I think mind and body are connected. I’ll find out more about Falun Gong.”

LaChanda Dupard, a co-founder of Fit and Faithful Living, stopped to watch the activity. She said she could feel the practitioners’ tranquility, which made her want to join them. She was concerned about the forced organ harvesting and signed the petition. She also encouraged practitioners, “I agree with Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. They represent true sincerity and integrity, the most precious values in humanity. What you are doing is impactful! Thank you!”

Mehrnaz, a tourist, said that watching practitioners do the exercises made her feel relaxed, and she appreciated the information about the current situation in China. “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are important for everyone and essential for the world. They are especially needed today.” She said she would like to learn more about Falun Gong.