(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of July 20, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners in Michigan held a candlelight vigil in Belle Isle Park, Detroit to commemorate fellow practitioners tortured to death by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Doing the Falun Gong exercises

Practitioner Valerie read aloud an open letter condemning the CCP’s brutal persecution.

Mr. Huang, an engineer and organizer of the event, said, “As long as the persecution does not stop, our protest activities like this will continue. Such a peaceful practice is being brutally persecuted. It is a disgrace for modern society. Everyone contributes a little bit to protest the persecution, and justice will prevail over the CCP’s evil. The day of stopping the persecution is not far away.”

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 Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual’s physical health, spiritual well-being and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, have been undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in more than 100 countries. The main works 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. Since the start 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.