(Clearwisdom.net) At noon on April 23, 2011, more than a thousand Falun Gong practitioners and supporters held a large scale march and rally in Flushing, New York to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the April 25 peaceful appeal.
March held in Flushing, New York, to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the April 25 peaceful appeal
Twelve years ago, on April 25, 1999, over ten thousand Falun Gong practitioners went to the State Council Appeals Office in Beijing on Fuyou Street near Zhongnanhai (the central government compound) to appeal for a lifting of newly implemented restrictions on the practice of Falun Gong and to call for the release of 45 practitioners who had been unjustly arrested in Tianjin. At 9:00 p.m. that day, when the practitioners learned that the Tianjin practitioners had been released, they left quietly.
The April 25 appeal exhibited Falun Gong practitioners' peacefulness and rationality. However, three months later, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) headed by Jiang Zemin launched a nationwide brutal persecution campaign against Falun Gong. Over the past twelve years, facing the most wicked regime in the world, practitioners in China have maintained the sincerity, kindness, and perseverance that they had demonstrated in the April 25 appeal, and established an eternal moral beacon for the world with their blood and lives. While exposing the evil of the persecution, practitioners have won the people's respect and admiration.
At this year's rally in Flushing, New York practitioners continued to call upon people to learn the facts, support Falun Gong, and work together with Falun Gong practitioners to stop the inhumane persecution.
It rained off and on, but the Flushing streets were still very busy. A long procession of over one thousand practitioners spanned several blocks. The march featured three sections: “Falun Dafa's Worldwide Spread,” led by the Divine Land Marching Band; “Persecution in China,” with practitioners carrying portraits of practitioners who died in the persecution; and “Quit the CCP for a Safe Future.”
Many people lined up on both sides of the streets to watch and take pictures. Many called out words of praise in admiration and support.
In a televised interview, Mr. Zhang who watched the parade despite the rain said, “Falun Gong is remarkable. Falun Gong's strength is what the CCP fears the most, because there has never been an organization that is able to persevere for so long while under attack by the CCP.” He hoped that Falun Gong's uncompromising spirit would inspire more people to learn the truth.
Mr. Zhang said that Chinese people abroad should listen and watch more, so that they wouldn't be deceived by the Chinese government's propaganda. He said, “Loyalty the country is not the same thing as loyalty to the CCP. If this Party doesn't correct its wrongdoings, it will collapse sooner or later.”
Mr. Huang said, “Falun Gong is the kindest group. Eleven years ago in Beijing I witnessed the CCP's suppression of Falun Gong.” He said he supported the parade and rally, because it can let the whole world see the evil nature of the CCP. It not only persecutes Falun Gong, but also other groups that have been forced to become dissidents. He understood that quitting the CCP and its affiliations plays a good role in disintegrating the CCP. “Most people China are cursing the CCP,” said Mr. Huang.
Many more people expressed their support in a televised interview. The following are what they said:
“There should be freedom of expression and freedom of religion. This kind of activity is not allowed in China today. We are gratified seeing so many people practicing Falun Gong.”
“So many people, really powerful.”
“Everyone has his/her right, it's protected by the Constitution. It's abnormal to replace the Constitution with an administrative order.”
“Falun Gong is a practice group oppressed under the rule of the CCP in China. Today I come to take part in the parade to support them. Although I haven't learned much about Falun Gong, I know as a citizen, one has the right to practice and to have one's own belief. Moreover, Falun Gong does no harm to the country, it teaches people to reach the realm of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, so I feel the CCP is very brutal.”
“Falun Gong is a good belief. It should be allowed in any country. It's the fundamental human right. They speak out for their belief, I think it's right and should be supported.”
“[Falun Gong] is great, I feel it's very good.”
“I also practiced Falun Gong before, but under that kind of situation in China…now I'm here... anyway, I believe it.”
“I've heard that Falun Dafa is great for our physical and mental well being. ”
“I support it [Falun Gong].”
“I feel the parade procession is very impressive.”
Twelve years after the peaceful appeal on April 25 in Beijing, a large-scale Falun Gong parade once again brought good messages to the residents in Flushing, many of who are Chinese and had once been deceived by the CCP's propaganda. Now, more and more of them have come to understand the true situation support Falun Gong.
