(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners of Yunlin County in Taiwan held a candlelight vigil on July 19th at Douliou Traffic Round, a landmark in Douliou City, in memory of more than 3,300 Falun Gong practitioners tortured to death during the persecution in Mainland China.

Yunlin County Councilman Mr. Chien-Kuo Liu (the fourth from left) joined the candlelight vigil in support of practitioners' struggle for justice, human rights, and freedom of belief, and their efforts to end this persecution

áPractitioners from Yunlin County and Yunlin City hold a memorial ceremony at the Douliou Traffic Round, a local landmark

Many tour buses full of tourists from Mainland China stop at nearby restaurants. Many of them came to ask for more information or took photos of the activities. Some observed through the restaurant windows. After learning the facts, some of them immediately agreed to withdraw from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations (the Youth League and Young Pioneers).

Yunlin County Councilman Mr. Chien-Kuo Liu also joined the vigil ceremony. He sat on the ground with the practitioners and sang "Falun Dafa Is Good" and other songs along with them. Mr. Liu said, "While people lead their happy lives, these Falun Gong practitioners, for the sake of sticking to their faith and pursuing the truth, were tortured to death in Mainland China. They are even unable to be with their family members, not to mention have a family life. But their spirits and souls are great." Mr. Liu also said that he has stood and will continue to stand on the side of righteousness to support Falun Gong practitioners in their struggle for justice, human rights, and freedom of belief, which are universal values.

Mr. Wu Yanmen, Principal of Kou-Hu Middle School, said that Falun Gong has been persecuted in Mainland China for ten years; but this is not just a persecution of Falun Gong practitioners' bodies, minds, and finances, and this is not just limited to the Chinese in Mainland China either; this is a persecution of the whole of mankind, and the persecution can be stopped only through the disintegration of the CCP.

Ms. Chen Ying-Tsung, Principal of Guey Lin Elementary School, said that while Falun Gong has been unjustly treated in Mainland China, the practitioners in China, while facing the pressure of persecution, have continued to clarify the facts to people. She said that today's memorial ceremony in Douliou City was very meaningful as it would let even more people know about Falun Gong practitioners' fortitude in spreading traditional Chinese culture while they are being persecuted, as well the importance of withdrawing from the CCP.

Falun Gong practitioners light candles to commemorate fellow practitioners in Mainland China who were tortured to death

As darkness fell, practitioners lit their candles to silently commemorate fellow practitioners in Mainland China who were tortured to death while they pursued truth and upheld justice for Falun Gong. They also sang "Falun Dafa Is Good" and other songs along with the members of the Tianyin Chorus. The business people in the surrounding area, after learning the facts, have become even more supportive of Falun Gong than before.

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its principles are based on Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Today, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 60 countries. The main teachings of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. The persecution is not only directed at Falun Gong, but also aims to destroy the moral standards and most basic human principles of all people. Since the beginning of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.

July 21, 2009