United Kingdom: Peaceful Demonstration Held Outside Chinese Embassy to Mark the Anniversary of the April 25 Appeal

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the exercises outside the Chinese Embassy in London, UK on April 25 to mark the 21st anniversary of the April 25 appeal.

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises outside the Chinese Embassy in London on April 25

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UK government issued a lockdown order. Many people stay at home. However, there are still a few pedestrians on the street. But, given the nice weather on April 25, some people were walking, running, biking and so on.

The practitioners lined up along the street, keeping in mind the social distancing order and they demonstrated the exercises. Their demonstration caught the attention of passersby.

I Hope More People Will Learn about Falun Gong
Dean is a student from Vietnam. He often participates in Falun Gong events, such as protesting the persecution in Chinatown outside of the Chinese Embassy.

Practitioner Dean demonstrates the sitting meditation

Dean said he learned about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s persecution online. As many people do not know about Falun Gong, he felt he must let them know about it. He said he wished more people stood up against the persecution.

He pointed out that the coronavirus pandemic was due to the CCP’s initial cover-up. He wished that the UK government would not listen to its misleading propaganda.

Practitioner Nina

Nina started practising Falun Gong with her husband and two daughters about two years ago. She joined the demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy on April 25.

“Falun Gong practitioners in China have suffered a lot during the past 21 years,” Nina said, “Because the CCP regime does not allow them to practice their belief, I have come to let people know what is happening in China.”

Currently, the coronavirus pandemic affects people’s health across the world. Nina wished more people could benefit from the Falun Gong principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to gain courage while facing difficulties.

Raising the Awareness of the CCP’s Nature
Tony has joined the peaceful protest outside the Chinese Embassy every week during the past 20 years. He distributes fliers to passersby, explains his experience of practising Falun Gong, and raises awareness of the evil nature of the CCP, which is trying to destroy humanity.

Practitioner Tony (left)

“I have come to tell people that Falun Gong is good, and the CCP is evil,” said Tony.

“Because of the isolation, people start thinking why the pandemic has occurred.” He wished more governments and organizations would work together to stop the CCP’s state-sanctioned live organ harvesting, and actively help disintegrate the Party.

Continuing the Protest Until the Persecution Ends
On April 25, 1999, an estimated 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners went to Beijing to request the release of 45 practitioners who were detained in Tianjin, a city about 60 miles east of Beijing.

They also requested permission to publish Falun Gong books, and have a reasonable environment to practice their spiritual belief. The peaceful petition demonstrated that they wanted peace, to be rational, have the courage to safeguard justice, and uphold one's conscience.

Unfortunately, the CCP initiated the persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. The Party also rewrote the history of the appeal to defame practitioners of their spiritual belief.

Falun Gong practitioners across the world have been protesting the CCP’s persecution peacefully. The April 25 appeal is commemorated every year.

Practitioner Gao said that they were protesting outside the embassy by following the government’s orders of social distancing and restriction of travel.

Practitioners took into account the lockdown when preparing their protest outside the Chinese embassy. The UK issued its lockdown policy order beginning on March 24. Two practitioners show up every day. They also reinstalled solar-powered lights to the posters so passersby can read the posters after dark.

Falun Gong posters with solar-powered light

Practitioners noticed that more and more people have accepted Falun Gong fliers. Some people signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

Practitioners said that they would continue the peaceful protest until the persecution ends. They asked that the international community and the British public help stop the persecution.