(Minghui.org) July 20, 2018 marks the 19th year since the persecution of Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) began. This peaceful mind and body cultivation practice, introduced in China in 1992, is now embraced in every corner of the world. Sadly, Falun Gong has been under brutal persecution by the Chinese communist regime in its country of origin.
Falun Gong practitioners around the globe hold activities around this date each year to raise awareness of the brutalities taking place in China and to commemorate family members and friends who have died as a result of the persecution. In this report, we cover events in Mexico, Brazil, and Peru.
Mexico City, Mexico
Practitioners in Mexico City gathered near Chinatown on July 21 to expose the brutal tortures used in the persecution and the Chinese government's crime of harvesting organs from living practitioners incarcerated for their faith. They also held a candlelight vigil to commemorate the practitioners who have died during the 19 years of persecution.
Falun Gong practitioners talk to passersby about the persecution in China near Mexico City's Chinatown.
Practitioners perform on waist drums.
Introducing the health benefits of Falun Gong as well as raising awareness of the ongoing persecution in China.
Practitioners performed on waist drums and demonstrated the five Falun Gong exercises. They also handed out Falun Gong literature to passersby to raise awareness of the persecution and to gather support to bring about its end.
Many passersby, after learning about what has been taking place in China, were in disbelief of the cruelty involved in the atrocity of forced organ harvesting.
Alejandro Estrada, a journalist, is interested in practicing Falun Gong.
Alejandro Estrada, a journalist, asked many questions and showed great interest in Falun Gong. He said that he felt a strong energy around the practitioners and wanted to know where he could learn the practice. When he found out that the practice is always taught for free, he had a big smile on his face.
Reporters, writers, and entrepreneurs watch a documentary about Falun Gong and the persecution.
Practitioners invited reporters, writers, and entrepreneurs to watch “Human Harvest,” a Peabody Award-winning documentary about the persecution and forced organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience in China, the majority of whom are Falun Gong practitioners.
Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises at the Angel of Independence monument.
Falun Gong practitioners send righteous thoughts in front of the Angel of Independence.
Candlelight vigil in front of the Angel of Independence.
In the evening, the practitioners held a candlelight vigil at a popular tourist spot, the Angel of Independence monument, to commemorate fellow practitioners who died in China for refusing to give up their faith.
Lima, Peru
Practitioners in Lima, Peru, put up posters and banners on July 20 to raise awareness of the persecution. Besides talking to people about the benefits of the practice, they also exposed the Chinese regime's crime of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience, for use in organ transplants.
Practitioners' event in Lima on July 20 to raise awareness of the persecution in China. Passersby were drawn by the graceful exercise movements and many started learning Falun Gong during the event.
Posters and banners drew the attention of the passersby. Many of them talked to practitioners to learn more about the persecution.
Many passersby were drawn to the peaceful event by the exercise demonstration and the soothing music. They photographed the practitioners, read the posters, and asked questions to learn more about the practice and the 19-year-long persecution.
São Paulo, Brazil
Practitioners in São Paulo, Brazil, gathered at the Chinese Consulate on the morning of July 20 and set up banners exposing the persecution in China. They did the exercises and handed out Falun Gong literature to passersby, including information about the persecution.
Falun Gong practitioners gathered outside the Chinese Consulate in São Paulo on July 20, 2018 to stage a peaceful protest calling for the Communist regime to stop the persecution.
Falun Gong practitioners display posters and demonstrate the exercises at Liberdade (Liberty Square).
In the afternoon, the practitioners held another event at Liberdade where many Chinese people gather. They displayed posters in both Portuguese and Chinese and demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises. Practitioners talked to passersby and exposed the atrocities committed by the Chinese regime in the persecution of Falun Gong.
Candlelight vigil in São Paulo to commemorate Falun Gong practitioners who lost their lives due to the 19-year persecution.
As night fell, the practitioners lit candles to remember their fellow practitioners who lost their lives in the persecution for refusing to renounce their belief. Many passersby were drawn to the candlelight vigil and wanted to know more about the situation in China.
Category: July 20 Events
