FLUSHING, New York City—Falun Gong practitioners held a candlelight vigil in Flushing late on June 10, to commemorate fellow practitioners who have died in the Chinese Communist regime's persecution.
"We are here to convey Falun Gong practitioners' peacefulness and to show our determination to resist the Chinese Communist regime's persecution in a peaceful way. The violent attacks on Falun Gong practitioners in Flushing will not sway our determination to clarify the truth in Flushing. We will not stop our efforts to clarify the truth and resist the persecution as long as the CCP does not stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners," said Yi Rong, president of New York Falun Dafa Association. Before the candlelight vigil began at 7 p.m. Falun Gong practitioners held banners that read "Falun Dafa is Good," and "The World Needs Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance."
Another very large banner read: "Our Greatest Condolences to Tens of Thousands of Fellow Countrymen Who Died after the Devastating Earthquake Struck Sichuan; Why Not Stop Persecuting Hundreds of Thousands of Innocent People when the Country is in a state of emergency?"
Candle-Light Vigil
About 500 Falun Gong practitioners practiced the exercises along Kissena Ave., When darkness fell at about 8 p.m., one after another orange-colored candle was lit, illuminating the darkness. In the candlelight, several hundred Falun Gong practitioners sat and meditated in peace and tranquility.
"We cultivate 'Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.' We come here mainly to show residents in Flushing Falun Gong practitioners' consistent peacefulness and non-violence. Faced with vicious insults and violent assaults from those who are not aware of the truth or who are accomplices of the Chinese Communist Party, we will continue to clarify the truth in a peaceful way as usual," said Yi Rong.
Mr. Tang Boqiao, spokesperson for the China Interim Government, told the Epoch Times reporter that he is pleased to see Falun Gong practitioners hosting an event in Flushing tonight. "I feel Falun Gong practitioners exactly represent this kind of noble character while resisting the persecution during the past several years," said Mr. Tang.
"Chinese people should unite together. Many Chinese have been deceived. We must resolve this kind of misunderstanding. Everyone is entitled to freedom of belief. Chinese must unite together," said Mr. Hu Zhangqing, a Flushing resident. "The Communist Party's totalitarian regime is the fundamental cause of the misunderstanding among Chinese," he added. Alberto Leven, a passerby who is 28 said, "This is the first time I have come across Falun Gong practitioners. I feel they are very peaceful and kind. People here have the freedom of belief. The Chinese government should respect those who have different opinions."
Feeds