(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, was founded by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Since its introduction to the public in 1992, it has grown rapidly in popularity by word of mouth. Based on the universal principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, practitioners from all walks of life have benefited from the practice with healthier bodies and improved moral standards. The main teaching of Falun Dafa, Zhuan Falun, has been translated into 39 languages.

May 13 was declared as “World Falun Dafa Day” in 2000. This year, many government officials in the United States and Canada have issued proclamations declaring “Falun Dafa Day,” “Falun Dafa Week,” “Falun Dafa Month,” or “Master Li Hongzhi Day,” praising Mr. Li Hongzhi and Falun Dafa for bringing peace and harmony to society.

On the occasion of the 19th Falun Dafa Day and also the 67th birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa practitioners around the world have held celebratory events. Practitioners from China sent congratulatory cards and letters to the Minghui website to express their admiration for Mr. Li Hongzhi, thanking him, wishing him a happy birthday, and celebrating World Falun Dafa Day.

The Chinese communist regime, under the direction of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, initiated the persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. Utilizing all the power at its disposal, including the media, judicial system, police, military, special services, and diplomacy, it restricted accurate information and fabricated lies to deceive the public.

Falun Gong practitioners were illegally detained, brainwashed, raped, injected with drugs that destroy the central nervous system, and became victims of involuntary organ harvesting. As of today, 4,213 practitioners are confirmed dead as a result of the persecution. Countless numbers were sent to detention centers, forced labor camps, prisons, brainwashing centers, and mental hospitals.

In an effort to oppose the persecution, Falun Dafa practitioners in China have been putting up posters and banners and giving out information explaining the facts of the persecution of Falun Dafa for the past 19 years. Practitioners outside of China have held rallies, press conferences, candlelight vigils, torture reenactments, and art exhibitions to raise awareness of the persecution with governments and the public. Some have filed lawsuits against the former president and other top officials who are responsible for the persecution. Others tirelessly make phone calls or send faxes and information to people inside China to inform them of the truth about the persecution, hoping to inspire them to do what is right.

As the peaceful message of Falun Dafa spreads around the world, more people with predestined relationships are learning the practice. Over 100 million people from more than 100 countries and regions have benefited from Falun Dafa. It has been recognized and valued by many. Different levels of governments and NGO's in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia have praised Falun Gong for promoting high moral standards, purifying people's minds, and improving health.

Over 3,500 awards, resolutions, and proclamations have been bestowed upon Falun Dafa, its Teacher, and its practitioners. These awards have shown just how widely the universal values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are accepted. The governments of many countries, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Taiwan, have passed dozens of resolutions, repeatedly calling for the Chinese Communist regime to stop the persecution of Falun Gong.

Since 2002, Jiang Zemin and over 60 Chinese government officials who have participated in the persecution of Falun Dafa have had lawsuits brought against them in over 30 countries for crimes against humanity, torture, and genocide.

Since May 2015, over 200,000 people in China have filed criminal complaints with the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate against Jiang Zemin for launching the persecution of Falun Gong. The actual number may be much higher due to the Internet blockade and the difficulty of gathering such information.

“Good is rewarded with good, evil meets with retribution” is a universal law. Many of those who have actively participated in the persecution have already incurred retribution. The vanguards of the persecution, such as Bo Xilai, Zhou Yongkang, Wang Lijun, and other high-ranking CCP officials, have been imprisoned.

At the end of 2004, the Epoch Times published a series of editorials entitled the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. More and more Chinese at home and abroad have renounced their affiliation with the Party after recognizing its evil nature. So far, the “Quit the Party” website has logged more than 300 million resignations from the Chinese Communist Party, the Youth League, and the Young Pioneers.

Many people’s attitudes toward Falun Gong have been quietly changing. For many Chinese who were deceived by the CCP's lies and once hated Falun Gong, they now know that Falun Gong practitioners are good people. Many have decided to withdraw from the CCP after reading the Nine Commentaries. Some lawyers have come forward to defend the Falun Gong practitioners' innocence. At Quit the CCP Service Centers, often located at tourist areas outside of China, Chinese officials openly withdraw from the CCP, choosing a bright future for themselves.

The persecution has also met with opposition inside China in recent years. People have bravely opposed the persecution by giving their fingerprints and signing petitions.

Over the past 26 years, Falun Dafa has spread all over China and the rest of the world. It has brought blessings to the lives of many. Falun Gong practitioners have displayed the truth of the universe, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, through their personal cultivation. Falun Dafa has awakened people's good sides and purified their hearts. It is a blessing for everyone.

Every “World Falun Dafa Day” elicits praise and support from all over the world. Honoring Falun Dafa heralds the awakening of people's consciences after they have they have understood the truth. In the face of the CCP's persecution, Falun Gong practitioners have defended Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They have made it possible for untold numbers of people to follow their consciences and voice their support for justice.