(Minghui.org) July 20, 2024, marked 25 years since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched the persecution of Falun Dafa. On July 21, practitioners in New York City set up information booths despite the scorching heat to tell people about Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) and the brutal persecution.

Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises, distributed informational flyers, and invited people to attend a nine-day workshop. Many residents and tourists stopped to watch, or talked with practitioners to learn more about Falun Dafa. Some said they were interested in learning the exercises. After learning the facts about the persecution, many people signed petitions—one supported the Falun Gong Protection Act and the other was calling for an end to the CCP’s existence, condemning its many crimes against humanity.

Practitioners participated in a street market where they told people about Falun Dafa.

Residents sign the petition to support the Falun Gong Protection Act.

Local Resident Supports Falun Gong

Randi Andron wanted to donate $10 to practitioners. They explained that Falun Gong does not accept gifts or money, and emphasized that all teachings are available for free on Falundafa.org. They gave her a flyer and a small handmade lotus flower and suggested that this might be the answer she was seeking.

When Randi learned about the CCP’s persecution of this group of kind-hearted people, she signed the petition. She said, “It’s great to see America doing the right thing.”

People Condemn the Persecution

Monserrat Martinez, who lives in Flushing, happily accepted informational materials. She stayed at the booth and told the practitioners that she and her mother wanted to learn the practice. The practitioners told her about the nine-day workshop, and they filled out the sign-up form. She said she was excited to attend the workshop.

Monserrat Maratinez said she and her mother want to learn Falun Gong.

A vendor from Turkey named Isa said he believes in the existence of higher beings and that everything is a message from the divine. He said he felt a strong energy field when the Falun Gong practitioners did the exercises and found it very comforting.

Isa said he hopes Falun Gong practitioners in China will soon gain freedom.

After Isa learned about the CCP’s organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners, he immediately signed the petition. Practitioners also told him that more than 430 million Chinese people have quit the Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. Isa expressed sympathy for people living under communist regimes like China, Russia, and North Korea, where they lack freedom. He hopes that Falun Gong practitioners and others would soon gain the freedom to openly practice their faith.

A woman from Cuba and her daughter noticed the Falun Gong booth. Practitioners greeted them and shared a story: “A Chinese teacher was sentenced to seven years in prison for her belief in Falun Gong. When she was released, her daughter did not recognize her mother due to the torture she suffered.” The practitioners said the story was just the tip of the iceberg. Countless families have been torn apart due to the persecution, which has been ongoing for 25 years and continues to this day.

A lady from Cuba and her daughter said that communist countries lack freedom, and she supports Falun Gong.

The woman told practitioners, “I believe what you are saying is true because I come from Cuba, a country under communist rule. It’s the same there. Our entire family immigrated to the United States because we longed for freedom.”

Gratitude for Practitioners’ Persistence

An elderly lady told practitioners she watched a Shen Yun performance and deeply appreciated and admired its outstanding presentation. She also thanked them for being there and telling people about the persecution despite the hot weather.