United States: Falun Gong Practitioners Hold Candlelight Vigil in Flushing to Mourn Those Who Have Died in the Persecution in China

On the evening of June 10, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners gathered in Flushing, New York to hold a candlelight vigil. They mourned the Falun Gong practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution in China. Co-ordinator of the New York Falun Dafa Association Yi Rong said, "We are here to display Falun Gong practitioners' peacefulness and our determination in non-violent resistance against the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution. The violent assault against Falun Gong practitioners in Flushing will not deter our truth-clarification efforts. For every day that the CCP does not stop its persecution of Falun Gong, that is another day we will keep up our efforts to clarify the truth and resist the persecution."

The candlelight vigil started at 7:00 p.m. Practitioners lined up along Kissena Boulevard in Flushing, holding huge banners reading, "Falun Dafa Is Good," "The World Needs 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance'," "Grieve Over Tens of Thousands of Victims of the Strong Earthquake in Sichuan, In the Face of National Disaster, Why not Stop Persecuting Hundreds of Thousands of Innocent People," and so on.

More than 500 practitioners were demonstrating the exercises opposite the Sino-US Supermarket along Kissena Boulevard all the way to the intersection of Sanford Avenue. Around 8:00 p.m. night fell, and rows of candles were lit up. Practitioners sat in silence behind the candles, peaceful and serene, displaying Falun Gong practitioners' unremitting tenacity.

Ms. Yi Rong said in an interview, "We cultivate 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,' and we are here to let the Flushing residents see the Falun Gong practitioners' consistent peacefulness and non-violence. In the face of the recent verbal and physical abuses and assaults perpetrated by some people who have not learned the facts, we will remain steadfast in our peaceful truth clarification as always." Yi Rong believed that when the Flushing residents witnessed that Falun Gong practitioners remain peaceful and do not fight back when hit and cursed, they will think it over and reconsider who is right and who is wrong. Many residents are now clear, and some Chinese people came to the Quit the CCP service centres to ask for help in withdrawing from the CCP and its affiliated organisations.

Chinese Interim Government spokesperson Tang Boqiao told reporters that he felt very gratified upon seeing the activities held by Falun Gong practitioners. Within only two to three weeks, the situation has changed dramatically from the scenes of mob attacks incited by the Chinese Communist regime. This reporter also noticed that during the two hour activity, passers-by watched quietly as Falun Gong practitioners were doing the exercises and sitting meditation. The Flushing Police Department mobilised a large number of officers to be present at the candlelight vigil, but there were no outbreaks of violence or scuffles. This may have been the most relaxed job for the Flushing police since May 17.

Tang Boqiao said, "In the face of evil, one cannot compromise, one must eliminate the evil, this is a very high virtue. I found that during these years of persecution, Falun Gong has displayed this high virtue."

The US police have also left a deep impression on Tang. He said that the police department has dispatched a great number of officers to protect Falun Gong practitioners. Tang felt that what the US police are protecting is not only Falun Gong practitioners, but also the rights of freedom and democracy in the US As executors of laws and regulations, these US police officers have done very well.

Flushing resident Hu Changqing told reporters that wherever Chinese people are, the community must stand together, yet many Chinese have been fooled [by the CCP]. Hu felt the ultimate source of misunderstandings between Chinese people is the CCP dictatorship. He said the CCP has always been afraid of the formation of groups, and whenever a group of people grew large it became afraid, and incited disharmony and conflict to separate the group.

Alberto Levan, 28 years of age, passed by the event. Upon seeing the candlelight vigil, he said it was the first time he had observed Falun Gong practitioners, and felt they were very peaceful and genial. Alberto felt that people should enjoy freedom of belief, and the CCP regime should respect those with different opinions.

Original source: The Epoch Times (Chinese Version)