New York: Hundreds of Shen Yun Artists Join March Against 26-Year Persecution of Falun Gong

(Minghui.org) Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners from the greater New York area and nearby states held a grand march on July 20, 2025, in Manhattan’s Chinatown, calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 26 years of persecution of Falun Gong, as well as expressing their support for the 449 million Chinese who have quit the CCP. Many locals expressed their admiration for the practitioners’ perseverance in peacefully counteracting the persecution.

Hundreds of artists from Shen Yun Performing Arts also joined the march. They condemned the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong and its far-reaching transnational repression of Falun Gong and Shen Yun, especially in the U.S.

Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, joined by hundreds of Shen Yun artists, held a grand march in Manhattan’s Chinatown on July 20. The procession included the Tian Guo Marching Band and members of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Background

Twenty-six years ago on July 20, 1999, the CCP launched an all-around persecution of a hundred million Falun Gong practitioners. Countless practitioners have since been arrested, tortured, and even killed. Some disappeared without a trace, likely having been victimized in the forced organ harvesting crime.

As a result of the persecution, families fell apart, couples divorced, the elderly lost their children, young children became orphans, and generations of families were implicated. Brainwashed by the CCP’s hateful propaganda against Falun Gong, the Chinese public became fearful and resentful whenever Falun Gong was mentioned.

In response to the unprecedented persecution, Falun Gong practitioners both inside and outside of China began a journey of peaceful resistance. Twenty-six years have quickly passed, and their efforts to raise awareness about the persecution have never stopped.

Hundreds of Shen Yun Artists Join the March

Before the march started, it suddenly started to rain, but the practitioners weren’t affected. The Tian Guo Marching Band continued playing in the rain, touching the hearts of the march spectators. The rain soon stopped and the sun came out.

The march was composed of three groups. The first group focused on the benefits of Falun Dafa and was led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, followed by the colorful flag team and Falun Gong practitioners holding banners reading “Falun Dafa Is Good.” The second group called for an end to the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong. The theme of the third group was “Dismantle the CCP,” supporting more than 440 million Chinese people who have withdrawn from the CCP and its affiliated organizations. They marched through eight blocks over two hours, and the event ended at 3 p.m.

Leeshai Lemish, one of Shen Yun's emcees, condemned the CCP’s transnational repression that targets Shen Yun.

One of Shen Yun’s emcees, Leeshai Lemish, condemned the CCP’s transnational repression that targets Shen Yun. “They (the CCP) are afraid, because Shen Yun shows the world what China was like before communism, China under communism, and what China will look like without communism.”

“Meanwhile, Shen Yun also shows the world the peacefulness, faith, and courage of Falun Gong practitioners, in contrast to the CCP’s brutality. Shen Yun is using art to expose the CCP’s lies, and it has touched people from all walks of life… This is the reason why we are here today. We are telling the world what’s happening in China and we are speaking on behalf of those Falun Gong practitioners who are being persecuted in China,” Lemish added.

The grand march in Manhattan’s Chinatown on July 20, 2025

Ethan Guo, a principal dancer with Shen Yun Performing Arts

Ethan Guo, a principal dancer with Shen Yun, said that joining the march made him emotional. His grandfather was persecuted to death for practicing Falun Gong when Ethan was only one year old. “To be able to stand here after twenty-some years, speaking on behalf of my grandfather and other dancers whose families were persecuted, I feel very emotional. It’s such a precious opportunity and I’m glad we are doing it.”

“In Shen Yun, we are all Falun Gong practitioners. Many of our family members have been arrested, tortured, or even persecuted to death. It’s our responsibility to come here, speak up for them, express our support for them, and call for an end to the persecution,” Guo said.

Shen Yun dancer Liu Zixing

Another Shen Yun dancer, Liu Zixing, was the nephew of Gao Rongrong. Gao was an employee of the Finance Department of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. She was shocked with electric batons for seven hours in the Longshan Forced Labor Camp in 2004, which left her face severely burned and disfigured. She later managed to escape from the hospital and published the photos on Minghui.org. Outraged by her courageous act, Luo Gan, former secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Committee, and Zhou Yongkand, former Minister of Public Security, ordered her arrest. She was captured months later and tortured to death in June 2005. She was 37 years old.

“My aunt’s death was sad and heartbreaking to our entire family. For me personally, it was a very painful experience,” Liu said.

Levi Browde, executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center

Levi Browde, executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center, was present at the march, and said that since March 2024, there have been 154 documented bomb threats or mass shooting threats against Shen Yun around the world.

Chinese Spectator: “The Team is Very Strong!”

Supporter An Qiang joined the march.

An Qiang, one of the spectators, said that he was honored and proud to see Shen Yun performers joining the march. “Shen Yun performers are so pure and righteous. They are confident, bright, and poised. I feel proud to be with them, and I feel I’m fully energized. The confidence they carry reaches me inside. I feel I’m being changed by them.”

He decided to join the march and held a banner that supports the “Falun Gong Protection Act” and condemns the CCP’s forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners. “I feel so proud! There are practitioners of all ages and from different ethnicities. The team is very strong!”

Another onlooker, Lin, said he had watched the Shen Yun show. “The groups are great! Very nice! They did a great job with the show!”

He was also impressed by the number of practitioners who were part of the march. “It was spectacular! So many people. You won’t be able to see something like this in China.”

“Falun Gong teaches people to be good by following Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. Isn’t that good? People from all over the world can freely practice it, but only the Chinese government bans it.” Lin said that such a march can help more people learn about the persecution in China. He encouraged the practitioners to persevere in raising awareness about it.

Spectator Guan Sen said it was a surprise for her to see Shen Yun performers in the march. She happily texted her friends about it. She watched the show two years ago and liked it very much. “It’s wonderful! I want to watch it again.” she said.

Company Owner: Their Voice Will Have a Far-Reaching Impact on the World

Kari Johnston (second on left), the owner of a consulting company in Ohio

Kari Johnston, the owner of a consulting company in Ohio and the development director of another company, was on vacation with her family when they saw the march. She was impressed and touched when the practitioners continued to practice in the rain. “They look so peaceful. I love the song. It’s beautiful.”

Regarding the persecution of Falun Gong, she said, “As Americans, we believe in freedom of religion. It’s a serious problem when one’s freedom to practice their faith is stripped away.” She agreed that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are universal values that can benefit everyone. “If everyone can work on their heart and meditate with compassion, I believe the world would be a much better place.” She added that the practitioners’ persistent efforts to speak up for their faith will have a far-reaching impact on the world.

Computer Teacher: Their Righteous Energy is Inspiring

Computer teacher Oscar Quinn was touched by the practitioners.

Oscar Quinn, a computer teacher from Manhattan, was also touched by the practitioners’ perseverance when he saw them preparing for the march despite the rain. “I admire them. It was pouring there. But they just stood there. No one had an unpleasant expression on their face or was affected by the rain… The march was very well organized, the band was coordinated with the rest of the group, and the exercise demonstration was also very peaceful.”

“It tells a lot that they are still here after suffering so much in the past 26 years. It’s an inspiration to all people who harbor negative feelings, and the world to see them still upholding peace and principles. Such positive energy is very inspiring.”

He also condemned the CCP for exporting the suppression of Falun Gong onto U.S. soil. “They are trying to extend the cultural repression outside of China. It’s unfair. Everyone should enjoy the freedom of belief. People should be able to see through these. This is a group of people who are positive and full of upright energy.”

“I feel that the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is like the tree of life. If you practice it in your daily life, you will get inner peace and share it with people around you. It can help you to live a better and more peaceful life.”

Financial Advisor: The U.S. Supports Freedom of Speech

Eric Mei works on Wall Street as a financial advisor. He is of Chinese heritage, and grew up in New York. He saw some Falun Gong practitioner marches before, and said this was probably the biggest one he had seen.

“I admire them for persisting for so long. The U.S. is a country that supports freedom of speech. No individuals or groups should be persecuted for their faith.”

College student Cameron Manning

Cameron Manning, a college student from Texas, said after watching the march, “This is admirable. They are showing us the resilience, and how human spirit transcends the physical suffering. I believe ‘compassion’ is the fundamental principle that can bring peace to the world.” He said he could tell that every practitioner joined the march with a sincere heart, and he felt very positive about it. “They are doing something for the better good of New York.”

“Supporting Falun Gong is Supporting Ourselves”

Chinese supporters joined the march.

New Yorker Yang Maosen: “Supporting Falun Gong is supporting ourselves.”

Yang Maosen, a small business owner in Flushing, New York, came to Manhattan specifically for the march. “Everything the Falun Gong group has done is fighting for the most basic human rights, and freedom for the Chinese people. They’ve done a huge service to us. So supporting Falun Gong is supporting ourselves!”

During the interview, it suddenly rained. But everyone stayed in place and the Tian Guo Marching Band continued to perform. “I’m so touched! None of them left. People of faith are different!” Yang said.

Film producer Bai Qifan: “The Falun Gong march is magnificent!”

Bai Qifan, a senior film producer, said, “The Falun Gong march is very magnificent and impressive! You see little kids in the arms of their parents, and elderly practitioners coming in wheelchairs. It’s a group with strong bonding. I’m a photographer. Every time when they have a parade or march, I want to videotape them. I’ve had several videos of them already!”

Supporter Ma Yingzi

Another supporter, Ma Yingzi, said, “Practicing Falun Gong is truly good for one’s health. My mother-in-law used to be bedridden, but she recovered after practicing Falun Gong. I support the practice and I admire Mr. Li Hongzhi (the founder of Falun Gong).”