(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a march in Kyoto City on July 12, 2025, to mark the anniversary of their peaceful protest of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution that was launched on July 20, 1999, and called for it to end.

The march was held during the Gion Festival, one of the three major festivals in Japan. People from all over Japan and tourists came to celebrate the grand festival, and Kyoto was very lively. The march was led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, started at Kyoto’s Oike Bridge, and passed by several tourist attractions in Kyoto, drawing the public’s attention and receiving a good response. There were many tourists from Europe and the U.S., and many took out their mobile phones to record the march. Those who already knew the CCP was persecuting Falun Dafa encouraged practitioners to keep up their efforts to expose the CCP’s brutality.

Practitioners held a march in Kyoto to protest the CCP’s persecution on July 12, 2025.

People Commend Falun Dafa and Condemn the Persecution

Mr. Kojima

Mr. Kojima lives in Kyoto and was walking along the Kamogawa River under the Oike Bridge, the starting point of the parade, and learned that practitioners in China are imprisoned, tortured, and even killed simply because they practice Falun Dafa. He praised them, saying, “Practitioners are willing to stand up for everyone and sacrifice their lives even when their lives are threatened and in danger. Such actions are truly admirable.” He said the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance resonate with him.

Ms. Ueno (right)

Ms. Ueno said, “You are doing the right thing.” She opposes the CCP’s persecution of human rights and expressed her support for practitioners’ peaceful truth-clarification efforts. Regarding the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, she said, “They are really great!”

Kaiden Hariri from the U.S.

American tourist Kaiden Hariri was appalled when he was told about the CCP’s forced organ harvesting, “I did not know about forced organ harvesting. Seeing you stand out on this issue, I am pleased.”

He added, “I was also in a marching band in high school. So when I see your band playing here, especially for such a great cause, it warms my heart. I support the band members, the Falun Dafa practitioners who are marching, and all the people who are participating in this event from the bottom of my heart. This is really an amazing action.”

In addition, regarding the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, he said, “These are very meaningful words. People should live by such morals and values. I am from the United States, but the United States is really lacking these things now. Because of this, I sincerely resonate with and admire the concept of this event and everyone who works hard here.”

Anders Petersen from Denmark.

When Anders Petersen from Denmark learned about the CCP’s persecution, he said, “It’s terrible.”

Frederique Braassen from the Netherlands.

Ms. Frederique Braassen from the Netherlands sent her best wishes to the practitioners who are severely persecuted in China: “I sincerely wish them peace, health, and most importantly, happiness. I hope they can live peaceful and beautiful lives. I also sincerely hope that this march will be a success.”

Mr. Daniel from Australia said, “That [persecution] is so cruel. I sincerely hope that their [Falun Dafa practitioners] activities are successful. In Australia, I often hear about the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners. I sincerely hope their situation improves.”

Ms. Maria from Bulgaria said, “I think it is very good that the Japanese want to help the Chinese. Such a major problem in a country like China should be solved by the joint efforts of all mankind. People like me, who don’t know much about it, have the opportunity to learn about the matter because of such a march. Therefore, I think such activities are indispensable.”