(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held a candlelight vigil near the Chinese Consulate in New York on the evening of July 20, 2026, to mourn those practitioners who lost their lives in the 27-year persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Practitioners meditated, collected signatures on a petition, and handed out flyers to raise awareness and call for an end to the persecution. Numerous people voiced support for practitioners’ peaceful means of protest and condemned the persecution.
Practitioners held a candlelight vigil near the Chinese Consulate to mourn those practitioners who lost their lives in the 27-year persecution. (Minghui.org)
Rally Condemns Persecution
A rally was held before the candlelight vigil, and multiple speakers voiced their support. Martha Flores-Vazquez, New York State Assembly District Leader, called practitioners the “role model” of the entire society. She said, “I’m happy to support and to condemn the actions of the Communist Party. There is no place in New York City or even around the world for stuff like that. It’s just horrible.”
New York State Assembly District Leader Martha Flores-Vazquez spoke at the rally. (The Epoch Times)
Practitioners who were persecuted in China also spoke. Mr. Zheng from Shandong Province said that he was illegally arrested by the CCP in 2008 and then sentenced to seven years. He was detained at a police station, detention center, and eventually transferred to the Shandong Province Prison. He was subjected to various forms of torture, including beatings and sleep deprivation. After he completed his sentence, he was again illegally detained. “Seven years of detention, torture, and long-term sleep deprivation did not alter my faith in Dafa,” he said.
This Persecution Must Stop
Lilian Lohdi from Boston shared her thoughts about Falun Gong. “This practice brings compassion, sincerity, and a healthy and balanced way of life. It helps people stay strong and positive,” she said. “I cannot imagine why there are people who want to stop such a beautiful thing, preventing people around the world from benefiting from it.”
This was the first time she’s seen an event held by Falun Gong practitioners and said she was drawn by the peaceful scene and practitioners’ gentle and soothing exercise movements. She noticed them when she was across the street and decided to learn more. “Their movements captivated me,” she said.
“It is truly outstanding how you unite together to tell people about what is happening,” Ms. Lohdi said. She said she would help expose the persecution by telling people about it.
“Every one of us has an important position in this universe. No one has the right to stop you from becoming a positive force in this world, because this is exactly what our world needs,” she said.
“We Need More Beautiful Things Like This”
Live streamer and video blogger Angel Rodriguez said, “Although thousands of people are being persecuted, tortured, beaten, and even killed, at least right now, we are still standing here, and you are still persevering. Even though people attempted to stop you, seeing that you are still persevering here makes me very happy,” he said.
Angel Rodriguez (Minghui.org)
“Bringing these beautiful concepts to Manhattan is one of the most beautiful things. We need more beautiful things like this,” he said.
Mr. Rodriguez agreed with practitioners using peaceful methods to expose the persecution, such as parades, rallies, and candlelight vigils. “This is the correct way. You should never fight violence with violence,” he said. “We truly care about other countries and what is happening there. We support people who are in a vulnerable position and who are treated unfairly. We believe that everyone should receive fair treatment.”
Speaking of Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, he said, “These concepts are beautiful. To be honest, we also need ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance’ here. This is a wonderful faith that is full of care.” He said that today’s society still needs people to uphold spiritual convictions, because it also affects children and future generations.
“The Media Really Needs to Report on What Is Happening”
Building manager Tino Pat said the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong not only hurts lives, it also destroys traditional culture. “This [Falun Gong] is about tradition, but this persecution is destroying traditions,” he said. “This is not only injustice to human nature and human rights, but also injustice to culture.
“I think the media really needs to report what is happening. Because if people’s lives are being threatened and the issue persists, action must be taken.
“More media should report on this issue, because this persecution is inhumane.
“The CCP does not allow people to think independently or think in their own ways. This is unfair.” He said people will acknowledge and support Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, “because people yearn for sincerity, kindness, tolerance, as well as mercy.
“It is a kind of courage to continue to adopt peaceful methods while being persecuted and tortured,” he said. “Among the people I know, there are not many who are able to fight for things they believe in without resorting to violent means.
“There is a touching beauty in it,” referring to practitioners’ consistent use of peaceful protest methods in today’s world that often encourages revenge and counterattack. “Frankly speaking, because of that, the media more so should continue to report on this.” He said, “A persecution lasting this long is really too long. This is unfair.”
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Category: July 20 Events
