(Minghui.org) Practitioners held an event in Xianghu Park in Chiayi, Taiwan on April 27, 2024 to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the April 25 Appeal.

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises at Xianghu Park in Chiayi on April 27, 2024.

The activities that day included demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises, a photo display and exhibiting paintings from the Art of Zhen Shan Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance) International Exhibition. Many tourists stopped to read the displays and talk with practitioners. After they learned the benefits of practicing Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) and the extent of the persecution, they expressed admiration for and encouraged the practitioners. Many people said that they would like to help practitioners end the persecution.

On April 25, 1999, an estimated 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners gathered at the Central Appeals office in Beijing and asked for the release of 45 practitioners detained by Tianjin police. They also asked the government to allow Falun Gong books to be published and that practitioners be allowed to openly practice Falun Gong. The whole world saw how peaceful Falun Gong practitioners were and how they held themselves to high moral standards during the appeal, which was praised as the most large scale, rational and orderly appeal in China's history.

Information about Falun Gong was displayed during the activity in Chiayi.

After reading about the persecution two young men said, “Freedom of belief is one’s basic right. The CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong is trampling on human rights, we cannot accept this.”

Practitioners tell people about the persecution during an event in Xianghu Park.

Practitioners did the exercises at the entrance to Xianghu Park, which is next to a busy road. Mr. Yang, who repairs watches, said after observing practitioners do the exercises, “The group is peaceful and the practice can purify people’s souls. They are kind people. If everyone practices Falun Gong, society will become a better place.”

Mr. Guo, a retiree, said after watching practitioners do the exercises: “The movements are slow and relaxed. Falun Gong teaches people to follow Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, so those who practice it must have high moral values.”

A practitioner explained what Falun Gong is to a tourist at the Art of Zhen Shan Ren exhibition.

Mr. Zhang came for a walk in the park and stood in front of a painting that was part of the Art of Zhen Shan Ren exhibition. He said excitedly, “It rained all day yesterday. After learning what Falun Gong is and the cultivation way it teaches, I felt a warm current in my body. I am truly fortunate. Thank you for holding this activity.”

Practitioners Explain the Significance of the April 25 Appeal

Huang Yuyun said that her health and moral character improved after she began to practice Falun Gong.

Huang Yuyun used to suffer from poor health and was attached to personal gain. After she began to practice Falun Gong, she conducted herself according to the teachings. Her body and mind changed. She said, “Practitioners continue to raise awareness of the ongoing persecution through peaceful means in spite of the CCP’s 25 year long brutal suppression. Practitioners in China are arrested, imprisoned and tortured, but continue to explain to prison guards the benefits of the practice and conduct themselves according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. They show great resilience and their behavior demonstrates how powerful compassion is.”

Wang Fang, another practitioner, said, “We handed out information about Falun Gong on this special day to show people how great Falun Gong is and to help them understand the brutality of the persecution.”

Lin Zhixiu, a member of the Falun Dafa association in Chiayi, said, “We call on everyone in the world to oppose this persecution and help end it.”

Lin Zhixiu, whose entire family practices Falun Dafa, is a member of the Falun Dafa Association in Chiayi. He said, “Under the authoritarian rule of the CCP, the April 25 appeal was a peaceful protest. It stands as a testament to human morality. Practitioners don’t have any political motives. They appealed to the government to uphold the truth, explained what Falun Gong is, and made a reasonable request. They did not think about personal losses. They hope people can see through the evil nature of the CCP, and choose to stand on the side of justice. Today’s activity calls on the whole world to come together to oppose and end this persecution.”