(Minghui.org) Practitioners held a rally in Dublin to commemorate the 26^th anniversary of the April 25 appeal on April 26, 2025. They called on the international community to help stop the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong).

Rally in Dublin on April 26 commemorates the 26th anniversary of the April 25 appeal.

Practitioner Mr. Zhao spoke at the rally about the April 25 appeal and the CCP’s persecution that began three months later. Spokesperson Ms. Liu of the Ireland Falun Dafa Association also talked about the appeal and condemned the CCP’s persecution.

Ms. Liu said, “Facing the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners have continued their peaceful and rational protest for 26 years. They also encouraged more people to support kindness and condemn the CCP’s brutality.”

Passersby learned about the event and signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

When a Chinese student said he’d never heard of the peaceful protest that took place on April 25, 1999, a practitioner told him about it and why the CCP persecutes Falun Dafa. The young man said he understood. He said he’d joined the CCP in order to find a good job, but now he wanted to quit. When he saw practitioners demonstrating the exercises, he felt they were very peaceful, “I think Falun Gong practitioners are kind and speak rationally.” He also said that he would tell his family in China what he learned that day.

This Event Catches Your Attention

After Chloe and her friend Eason signed the petition, they commended the practitioners for their efforts to end the persecution by doing the exercises together. Chloe said, “This event really catches your attention. I feel like more people who see you doing the exercises will want to stop and read about it.”

After learning about the April 25 appeal and the CCP’s persecution, Chloe said, “This is a serious issue, but not many people know about it. I think it’s really good that you are bringing the topic to light.”

Eason said that more people should know about the persecution in China and that doing the exercises in public was a good way to let people know. “I can see you are in Switzerland, the UK, and Taiwan. I think it’s brilliant. This way, more people will sign the petition to stop the persecution.”

After learning the reason for the rally and the April 25 appeal, Caitlin said she often saw practitioners distributing flyers and practicing the exercises in groups, so she knew what Falun Gong was and about the persecution that practitioners faced. She also praised the practitioners’ courage and perseverance.

When she saw practitioners meditating, Caitlin said, “I think it takes a lot of strength and resilience to stay there, especially in such a crowded place when there’s so much going on and there are so many distractions. It's amazing.

“I think that’s what makes people stop and actually want to get involved because it’s so intriguing to see that kind of strength.”

People talk with practitioners, read the display boards, and learn about Falun Gong.

The CCP Is Paranoid

When Philo saw practitioners distributing flyers, she pointed to her bag, that had a small origami lotus ornament with a bookmark that read “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” on the shoulder strap.

Philo said she's known for years that the CCP was persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. She has seen practitioners’ activities in different places in the city over the past decade.

“I think it's wonderful,” Philo said. “I think the Chinese officials should leave you alone to practice. They have no right to control you in any way.” She said that the CCP was more evil than demons and that CCP officials are paranoid.

Teni, an undergraduate student, said she'd learned about the CCP’s persecution in a class, but this was the first time she had seen practitioners holding an activity. She was impressed by how they raised awareness and called for an end to the persecution and the CCP’s forced organ harvesting.

About the persecution, she said, “I think it’s terrifying, really terrifying. There is no way that you can say that this is not a genocide. It is a terrible thing going on but it is covered up. It is so sad.

“We should not repeat history and just let it go. More people really need to find out about it in order for it to stop.”

This was the first time Alastair and his wife Elaine had heard of Falun Gong and that it teaches people to follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Alastair said, “It is tremendous. It’s an inspiration. I just want you to persevere in life even when things are difficult.”

Alastair and his wife Elaine praise the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Elaine said the principles were "beautiful" and it would be even better if more people would follow them.

After hearing that the persecution is still going on, Alastair told practitioners to persevere and not give up.

Alastair writes in the guestbook to encourage the practitioners to persevere.

Alastair and Elaine are from Northern Ireland. Although it’s only a few hours’ drive away, Elaine said that the couple hadn’t visited Dublin for ten years. They talked with practitioners for a long time. Seeing them meditating, Elaine said that she felt they were peaceful. Her husband said that he would definitely read the Falun Gong flyer.