(Minghui.org) The 9th Overdose Awareness Day was held at Delcastle Recreational Park in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 12, 2026. The event featured 125 exhibition booths and received support from both the county and city governments.
Many people visited the Falun Gong booth, tried the exercises, and learned about the spiritual practice. They also condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution and the state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting.
Practitioners demonstrate the exercises at the Overdose Awareness Day in Delaware. (Minghui.org)
Joseph Jackson (right) learns the Falun Gong exercises. (Minghui.org)
Joseph Jackson, 84, tried the exercises and said he was impressed by the practice’s simplicity.
“It is amazing that practicing this requires almost no effort and is very easy to pick up,” he said. “When you can fully relax, it brings significant healing effects. However, it requires a high level of focus.” He also praised the selfless dedication of Falun Gong practitioners, adding, “I really like it—everything is free.”
Lauren Adams (right) learns the Falun Gong exercises. (Minghui.org)
After Lauren Adams did the exercises she said, “I feel full of energy. It feels amazing. It is incredibly peaceful and meditative; it’s as if our hearts and minds are truly connected.”
She said she would read Falun Gong books. When asked if practicing Falun Gong could help her she said, “It is a practice that places great emphasis on the spiritual dimension, and it is very beneficial for my spiritual growth.”
Kerry Sheldon (right) learns the exercises. (Minghui.org)
Kerry Sheldon, a case manager at a transitional housing facility, helps women overcome drug and alcohol addiction. She got a small, handmade lotus flower pendant from a practitioner years ago and it has hung in her car since then. During this event, she tried out the exercises.
Kerry said she felt a bit tense that day but soon relaxed. She also described the colors she saw while she practiced: “I saw colors... sort of like rainbow colors, and some purple, too.”
After she did the exercises she said, “I feel relaxed and much better. I feel lighter.”
She also said, “If possible, I would love to invite them [practitioners] to the transitional housing facility to teach the exercises to the women there. Once I get permission, I will certainly make it happen.”
County Councilor Visits Falun Gong Booth
David Tackett, a New Castle County Council member for District 11 and a candidate for County Recorder of Deeds, also visited the Falun Gong booth. He sponsored a bill condemning the CCP’s forced organ harvesting.
David Tackett visits the Falun Gong booth. (Minghui.org)
David praised practitioners for introducing Falun Gong to the public during the community event and said, “My favorite part of the day so far is your booth, because I received a free small lotus flower. The information you are sharing is incredibly rich.”
He said that the material presented at the booth was for everyone, adding, “That is exactly what makes it so wonderful.”
People Condemn the Persecution
Visitors signed the petition calling for an end to the CCP’s persecution after learning about the human rights abuse in China.
Visitors sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution. (Minghui.org)
Kitchen and bath designer Denise Thomas a signed the petition and said, “I just heard about this, and everything you have done to support this effort is positive.”
When she learned how practitioners are tortured and have their organs harvested, she said, “I am furious to hear that this has happened. It is unfair, and it simply should not have happened.
“It is such a great thing that you have stepped up to do this. You don’t hear about this in the mainstream media. These are things you don’t normally hear about.”
Lauren Adams also condemned the persecution, “I think it’s so unfair. There is simply no reason for this to happen. It is evil.” She said it was important to speak out about the persecution. “I think it’s crucial. If people don’t know, things will never change,” she said.
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