(Clearwisdom.net) On July 17, while the whole island was affected by a hurricane and most outdoor events were canceled, practitioners in Taichong held a large event in Fengle Park to raise awareness of the ongoing persecution in China, which has lasted six long years. Despite the rain, Taichong City Councilman Liu Shizhou came to the park to greet practitioners and to call on the public to support Falun Gong.

Sending righteous thoughts in the rain

Candlelight vigil in the rain

Candlelight vigil in the rain

Because of the hurricane, it started to rain right after lunchtime. However, the rain could not stop practitioners from coming together to hold their truth-clarification activities. Starting at 3 p.m., practitioners started the Falun Gong exercise demonstration, and held a photo display and anti-torture exhibition. A candlelight vigil was held in the evening to commemorate the 2,704 fellow practitioners persecuted to death in China.

During the vigil, practitioners held white lotus flowers and photos of practitioners who have been persecuted to death. With peaceful music and flickering candlelight, the scene was very touching. Because of the hurricane, there were not many tourists. However, the unyielding spirit demonstrated by the practitioners deeply impressed everyone who was at the park

A visitor reading posters in the rain

City Councilman Liu Shizhou gave a speech at the rally

City Councilman Liu Shizhou expressed his admiration of the practitioners' persistent efforts and unshakeable faith as well as their rationality demonstrated during the six long years of persecution. He said, "I admire the spirit of Falun Gong. Just like today, you are not deterred by the wild rain and strong wind. I believe that the persecution can't last much longer. The world needs people like you, and only 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance' can bring true peace and harmony."

Torture reenactment: being tied up and beaten

Torture reenactment: Tiger bench

A practitioner said, "Why would these practitioners still spontaneously come to hold this event despite the heavy rain and strong wind? Because every one of us has benefited from Falun Dafa. Since the introduction of Falun Dafa to the public in 1992, the practice attracted more than 100 million practitioners in just seven years. The practice uplifts morality, improves health holistically and has saved a huge amount of medical costs for the Chinese government; why would a government ever fear that there would be too many good and healthy people?

"Since I started to practice Falun Gong, I have been paying medical insurance though I never really use it. This is a very common phenomenon among practitioners. This is because Falun Gong teaches us to consider others first. It is just so evil for the Chinese Communist Party to persecute innocent practitioners who just want to be upright and healthy people. No one can understand a regime which could forbid its people to be good citizens."

Another practitioner pointed out that the persecution in China never stops, largely due to the continuous economic development. In fact, resources created by economic development in China have been used to intensify the persecution against innocent citizens.