Washington DC: Candlelight Vigil Commemorates Victims of Ongoing 20-Year Persecution
(Minghui.org) More than 1,000 Falun Gong practitioners gathered in front of the Washington Monument for a candlelight vigil on the evening of July 18, 2019. They solemnly commemorated their fellow practitioners who have died during the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 20-year-long persecution.
As the golden colors of evening gently enveloped the nation's capital, many passersby stopped to watch as practitioners sat in orderly rows on the lawn. A large screen displayed informative photos and messages such as, “Commemorating the practitioners who died in the CCP’s persecution,” and, “Why does the CCP persecute Falun Gong?”
Falun Gong practitioners held a candlelight vigil in Washington DC on July 18, 2019, to commemorate fellow practitioners who have died as a result of the CCP’s persecution and to call for its end.
Kim Scott (right) and Marissa Brown (left) stopped to learn more about the persecution. Marissa said, “The persecution is horrible!”
D.C. residents Kim Scott and Marissa Brown were on an evening jog and paused to watch the presentations. Marissa said, “The persecution is horrible!” Kim said, “I don’t understand why Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is persecuted. It's great that so many people are participating in this event.”
Several passersby stopped to watch the slide show.
Caesar, a local resident, and his wife Gabby talked to a practitioner and learned about the CCP’s state-sanctioned live organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. When he learned the details, Caesar was moved to tears. He said that he appreciated the practitioners' 20-year efforts to inform the public. He added that he could sense that practitioners are peaceful.
James Smith traveled from New York to participate in the day's events.
James Smith, a practitioner from New York, said that the event marking the 20th anniversary of protesting the persecution was very meaningful. He said that many people are coming to know about Falun Gong and have heard of the persecution. He hopes that the persecution ends soon.