(Minghui.org) On April 25, Falun Gong practitioners from the Bay Area in San Francisco gathered in front of the Chinese consulate to commemorate the April 25 Peaceful Appeal and condemn the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Despite the rain, practitioners sat in front of the Chinese consulate, calling for the end of the persecution. They held banners which read “Falun Dafa is good,” “Stop the persecution of Falun Gong,” and “Bring the murderers to justice.”

Mr. Chen, who came to the U.S.A. 6 months ago, joined the protest. He started practicing Falun Gong in 1995, which healed his illnesses. After the persecution was launched in 1999, he appealed for Falun Gong, and was sentenced to two years in a labor camp. Mr. Chen said, “We have come here today to commemorate those who were tortured to death. We call upon the international community to help stop the persecution.”

Ms. Zhang Xuerong, spokesperson for Falun Gong in the Bay Area, said, “I am very touched that so many practitioners came out today despite the heavy rain. We are here for our human rights. The situation in China is changing rapidly now. I believe that the sun will come out after the rain. We see hope. More and more Chinese people have learned the truth about Falun Gong, and we will continue clarifying the truth until the end of the persecution.”