Texas, U.S.A.: Rally Marks 25 Years of Peacefully Resisting the CCP’s Persecution

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a rally in front of the State Capitol in Austin on July 20, 2024, marking the 25^th anniversary of practitioners peacefully resisting the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong). Representatives from the U.S. Congress and the Texas State Legislature sent letters of support.

Rally at the State Capitol in Austin calls for an end to the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa.

Mr. Yang, President of the Southern USA Falun Dafa Association, recounted the CCP’s atrocities against practitioners, including its crime of harvesting organs from living practitioners. “We are here today to mourn the practitioners who have died from the CCP’s persecution. The CCP is most afraid of being exposed. We appreciate all the support letters from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. The persecution must stop! We look forward to that day!”

Several Falun Dafa practitioners described how they were persecuted in China. Rebecca Chen from Henan Province, China recounted how she, her brother, and her mother were detained by the CCP and thrown into forced labor camps. 

Rebecca Chen (left) addressed the rally.

Rebecca was forced to work 15 hours a day while she was held in the Shibalihe Women’s Labor Camp. She also had samples of her blood taken. She is still frightened when she thinks about it now, because she realizes that the sampling was in preparation to have her organs harvested. 

Rebecca’s brother was imprisoned for six years. Under the tremendous mental pressure, her mother passed away before her brother was released. Her brother died two years after he was released. Rebecca managed to escape China. She is grateful to the United States, where she enjoys freedom of belief and can stand up for those who are being persecuted.

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R.4132 – the Falun Gong Protection Act, on June 25, 2024, which condemns the persecution against Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party, including the state-sponsored forced organ harvesting. In addition to calling to sanction those involved in the organ harvesting, the bill also urges the CCP to immediately end the suppression of Falun Gong. 

Group exercise in front of the Texas State Capitol

Signature collection urges the U.S. Senate to pass the Falun Gong Protection Act.

Two tourists from Chile expressed their sympathy for Falun Dafa practitioners.

A Chinese-American man and his daughter talked with practitioners for a long time. The father said he learned about the CCP’s evil conduct after he came to the U.S. They appreciated practitioners for telling them about the situation in China and said they planned to see a Shen Yun performance.