On a windy San Francisco day, a group of people in blues and yellows assembled quietly in a plaza. Most sat still, eyes closed, as if meditating. They held a flowered wreath with a person’s photo in the center. Others stood holding banners. One read ‘The World Needs Truthfulness, Benevolence, Forbearance.’ Another, ‘Commemorate the April 25th Peaceful Appeal.’
Falun Dafa practitioners from around the Bay Area gathered in Union Square for a candlelight vigil to commemorate April 25.
“It’s the day that Falun Gong practitioners peacefully protested to the Chinese regime at the leadership compound in Beijing in Zhongnanhai,” said Chris Kitze, a Falun Dafa practitioner.
On April 25, 1999, over 10,000 people peacefully gathered at the Appeals Office of the State Council in Beijing to appeal the unfair treatment of Falun Dafa practitioners, a meditation group that lives according to truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The appeal is now known as the “April 25th Incident,” or 4.25.
“To me, 4.25 is really important because it shows the possibility of humanity,” said Kitze. “It shows the way forward for people to redress grievance in a peaceful, nonviolent, and compassionate way.”
“They just stood quietly. They didn’t hold any signs. They just stood on the sidewalk waiting for their chance, to tell the truth to the Chinese leadership. That’s why it was important. It was done in a very peaceful, calm, tolerant manner,” he said.
The appeal was resolved, but then Chinese leader, Jiang Zemin, used secret documents to overturn the conclusions and started the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners on July 20, 1999. They were arrested, tortured, and even live organ harvested for their beliefs. Twenty years later, practitioners overseas still raise awareness of China’s human rights issues.
“All these things are still happening in China, unfortunately. And we’re hoping that this kind of appeal will let people know here in the U.S., whether they’re from San Francisco, from anywhere in the U.S., or visitors from around the world the true situation in China,” said Kitze.
Curious people passing by would stop to learn more about the practice through text or by word of mouth. Some even learned a few of the exercise movements on site.
John Koncoli, a global ambassador, walks by Union Square almost every day. “As soon as I hit the square, I just felt this powerful, peaceful, blissful, joyful, energy. And it’s very strong,” he said.
“It’s what I think the whole world is craving. Truly, what’s going on here, when one meditates is what everyone is actually craving, but they don’t know how to get there,” said Koncoli.
“The reason we’re here today is to just explain to people what’s happening, the truth of what’s happening, and to help them understand what’s happening so that they can make a good choice,” said Kitze.
NTD News, San Francisco, California
