Bringing Light and Hope to the World

(Minghui.org) As the golden sunset gently enveloped Washington DC, Falun Gong practitioners held a candlelight vigil on Thursday, July 17, 2025, to commemorate fellow practitioners who died due to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution.

Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. It was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi and is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings have experienced improved health and well-being.

Yet, on July 20, 1999, the former CCP leader used China’s entire state apparatus to launch an unprecedented and brutal persecution to physically, mentally and financially destroy the millions of good people who practice Falun Gong.

Overnight, lies, slander and hatred of Falun Gong flooded China. Despite the threat of torture, imprisonment, and even organ harvesting, countless practitioners stepped forward to safeguard their faith, tell the world the facts, and share the beauty of practicing Falun Gong.

Due to the CCP’s information blockade, we do not know the exact number of people killed for refusing to give up practicing Falun Gong. Although they have passed away, their spirit shines through.

Worldwide Support for Falun Gong in the Face of Transnational Repression

The CCP has been using loopholes in the free world’s institutions to launch legal and media warfare in the U.S., extending the persecution to the whole world. In the first half of this year, hundreds of death threats were made against Falun Gong outside of China.

Falun Gong practitioners around the world have exposed the persecution for 26 years, and Falun Gong has gained support from all levels of government in the U.S. and the world.

In March 2025, the White House condemned the bomb threats directed at Shen Yun performances [Shen Yun is a dance company, most of whose member practice Falun Gong], and said the U.S. government will hold the perpetrators accountable.

In May, the U.S. Congress passed the Falun Gong Protection Act. Representatives from both political parties call on the CCP to stop persecuting Falun Gong and demand that the perpetrators of forced organ harvesting be sanctioned.

Bringing Light and Hope to the World

For 26 years, in the face of continuous, escalating suppression, Falun Gong practitioners have endured the hardship while continuing to spread the truth using peaceful means, helping people wake up and pay attention. Falun Gong practitioners repay hostility with kindness while facing their persecutors, and only hope people make the right choice.

Through their spirit of perseverance over the past 26 years, practitioners have let the world know what Falun Gong is and help people see the true nature of the CCP.

This persecution will end one day. Falun Gong practitioners’ upholding Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, the true principles of the universe, brings light and hope to the world.