WASHINGTON—Falun Gong practitioners from around the world marched through America’s capital on July 15 to raise awareness of the persecution of their fellow practitioners in China. Over 2,500 people joined in the parade, according to organizers.
Coming from Europe, Australia, and Asia, as well as across North America, participants in the march carried signs that read “Disintegrate the CCP,” and “Freedom for Falun Gong." The parade began at the National Mall, traveled down Constitution Avenue, and ended at the Washington Monument, a 1.4 mile parade of colorful banners, traditional Chinese waist drummers, and the Celestial Marching Band.
Twelve years ago, in July of 1999, the Chinese communist regime began persecuting Falun Gong practitioners in China.
“At the beginning of the persecution people were asking how long Falun Gong can last persecution by the CCP. Twelve years later they are now asking how long the Chinese Communists can last,” said Mindy Ge, one of the parade coordinators.
Along with showcasing Falun Gong and exposing the horror of 12 years of its persecution at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the marchers celebrated the almost 100 million Chinese becoming part of the "Tuidang" movement, which involves Chinese quitting the CCP and its affiliates. On Friday, U.S. senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Tom Coburn (R-MD) sponsored S. Res. 232, which condemns the CCP’s brutal repression of Falun Gong, and recognises the Tuidang movement. Click here for a more detailed explanation of the Quitting the CCP movement.
One section of the parade was dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives in the persecution of Falun Gong. Women in white, the color for Chinese funerals, carried wreathed placards with photos of individual Falun Gong adherents who died from persecution in China.
Continued: "Bringing a lot of awareness"
