Ireland: Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Falun Dafa's Public Introduction

On May 12, 2012, a group of Ireland Falun Gong practitioners gathered at Grafton Street, in central Dublin, to celebrate the 13th World Falun Dafa Day; the 61st birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong; and the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction.

The celebration began with a splendid drum performance by Falun Gong practitioners. After that, young practitioners and ladies performed traditional Chinese dances. Practitioners also demonstrated Falun Gong exercises. Many people stopped to watch.

Chinese Spectators Renounce the Communist Party

Many Chinese people stopped to watch the performances. Mr. Chen was among them. He told Falun Gong practitioners that he read each issue of The Epoch Times since since he lived in Dublin. He knew a lot of information about China that was blocked by the Chinese Communist regime. At first, Mr. Chen worried about having trouble when he went back to China if he learned about Falun Gong. Practitioners then talked to him further about the crimes of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its inevitable collapse. Mr. Chen agreed and began asking questions about the April 25 Peaceful Appeal and Shen Yun Performing Arts. Mr. Chen then decided to formally announce his withdrawal from the CCP and its affiliated organizations. He told practitioners that he planned to read the book Zhuan Falun.

“You Have Every Reason to Celebrate!”

A lady from northeastern China told practitioners that many of her friends and relatives in China suffered from persecution by the CCP authorities. Her sister was persecuted to death because she refused to give up practicsing Falun Gong, and one of her neighbours developed mental illness, with all fingers necrotic, due to the persecution and torture. She said that although the CCP is so cruel, the truth about Falun Gong is well known in China now. The lady also read each issue of The Epoch Times, and said she could find information in this newspaper, which cannot be found in other Chinese media. When Falun Gong practitioners told her it was the 20th anniversary of Falun Gong’s public introduction, she replied with surprise, “Oh, really? You have every reason to celebrate!”

People Sign the Petition to Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong

Near the celebration activities, Ireland practitioners put up information display boards and petition forms. Many people signed the petition after they learned the facts about Falun Gong. Many passersby asked for flyers, and some expressed interest in learning Falun Gong.

An elderly Irish lady signed the petition and talked with Falun Gong practitioners. She said that the Irish government should stand up for human rights for Falun Gong in China, and not be deterred by economic interests. More than two thousand passersby took Falun Gong flyers during the event.