Philadelphia, USA: Rally in Chinatown Commemorates the 26th Anniversary of the April 25 Appeal

(Minghui.org) Practitioners held a rally in Chinatown in Philadelphia on April 19, 2025, to commemorate the 26^th anniversary of the April 25 appeal. They distributed fliers, did the exercises, and collected signatures on a petition calling to end the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa (Falun Gong).

Activities in Chinatown on April 19, 2025, commemorate the 26^th anniversary of the April 25 appeal.

Passersby learn about Falun Dafa and the CCP’s persecution.

After learning about the CCP’s brutality, many people signed the petition.

Isaac Mensquita, a security guard at the Free Library of Philadelphia, said, “Falun Gong practitioners are doing a great thing because they advocate Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.”

Isaac Mensquita (left), listens to a practitioner.

“When you hear the words Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, you will find them beautiful,” Isaac said. “There is no problem with truth. It should be the foundation of this world. You cannot erase the existence of ‘Truth.’ No matter if you take away a person’s heart, liver, or any organ, you can never take away Truth from a man, woman, or child who insists on the truth.

“Compassion is also a beautiful word. What’s wrong with showing kindness to others? I completely disagree with the CCP’s acts against kind people. I firmly believe that any persecution and crimes against humanity are wrong and unacceptable.”

Isaac said he would tell others about the CCP’s persecution.

Blogger Jem Robinson was filming scenes under the Chinatown archway that day when he noticed the rally and talked to a practitioner.

Jem Robinson (first on right) listens as a practitioner explains why the event was held.

Jem said he learned a lot, “My perspective is broadened. I know there are other problems in the world, which are obviously real, and there are so many places in the world going through issues.

“I am grateful for their [practitioners’] efforts in Chinatown for what they believe in, fighting for what they believe in, and speaking out for these things,” Jem said. He said he would do some research to learn more about the persecution. “I got a brochure and I will take a look at it when I get home. There is a website on it, and I will go online to learn more.”

He also said he would share this information with his Chinese friends. “This information should really be known to more people. I have some Chinese colleagues and friends, and I will definitely bring this information to them and share it with others.”

Laura from New Jersey was visiting her daughter in Philadelphia. When she passed by Chinatown, she said she was drawn by the peaceful scene of practitioners’ group practice. She asked a practitioner many questions.

Laura said she was a member of an Indian meditation group. She said that it is an eternal truth that good will prevail over evil, but everyone's choice is also important in the battle between good and evil. “If we want to achieve real change on Earth, now is the critical point of the transition of the times.”