(Minghui.org) In solemn commemoration of Falun Gong practitioners who have died as a result of the 20-year-long persecution in China, practitioners across the world organize various events to draw awareness of the atrocities taking place in China.
Falun Gong is a peaceful mind-body cultivation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
On July 20, 2019, Jiang Zemin, former head of the communist regime, launched the brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The persecution continues to this day, including the state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting that targets Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience.
The Minghui website has confirmed the deaths of over four thousand Falun Gong practitioners due to the persecution over the past 20 years. The actual number is suspected to be much higher, but due to the Chinese regime's information blockade, it is difficult to get news out of China. Many more practitioners have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith. There is concrete evidence that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is an active participant in the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are killed on demand to supply the organ transplant industry.
The following are reports from recent commemorative events in Taiwan.
Candlelight Vigil in Pingtung, Taiwan
Falun Gong practitioners from Pingtung held a candlelight vigil on July 20, 2019 to commemorate fellow practitioners who have died during the persecution in China. Drawn by the solemnity of the event, many people stopped to watch and learn about Falun Gong and the CCP’s persecution.
Falun Gong practitioners hold a candlelight vigil in Pingtung on July 20, 2019, to commemorate practitioners who have died as a result of the CCP’s persecution.
Practitioners gathered in Pingtung for a candlelight vigil.
Practitioners do the exercises as part of the day's commemorative events in Pingtung on July 20, 2019.
Passers-by stop to learn about Falun Gong and the persecution.
Many people who stopped to watch the event condemned the persecution in China. One passerby, Mr. Chiu said he'd learned about the persecution from newspapers. He remarked, “This [persecution] is a sin. The CCP persecutes Falun Gong practitioners and takes their organs. It's a Heavenly principle that kindness is rewarded and evil will meet with retribution. The CCP will be punished for its crimes!”
Rally and Candlelight Vigil in Kaohsung
Practitioners in Kaohsung held a rally and candlelight vigil on July 20, 2019. They also did the exercises, held a photo exhibition, and collected signatures to condemn the persecution.
Candlelight vigil in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on July 20, 2019
Practitioners do the exercises in Kaohsung as part of an event to mark 20 years since the start of the persecution.
City Council Member Chen Li-na praised practitioners for their persistence in peacefully protesting the persecution in China.
Huang Yu-sheng, special assistant to Hsu Chih-chieh of the Legislative Yuan, called on China to move toward democracy, respect human rights, and to treat Falun Gong practitioners fairly.
People stop to read the posters and ask questions.
Candlelight Vigil in Chiayi
To commemorate those who have died as a result of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners in Chiayi did the exercises together and held a candlelight vigil on July 20, 2019.
Practitioners hold a candlelight vigil in Chiayi on July 20, 2019.
Passers-by stop to read the display boards and learn about the persecution.
Practitioners demonstrate the exercises.
Ms. Hsu talks with a tourist about Falun Gong.
Mr. Cai, a passerby, said he holds a great deal of respect for practitioners.
Category: July 20 Events
