FALUN Gong practitioners and supporters in Saipan held a peaceful rally at the San Jose intersection to expose the Chinese Communist Party’s 26-year-long brutal persecution of Falun Gong. The event aimed to raise public awareness and call for collective efforts to end the CCP’s ongoing violations of human rights and religious freedom.
Despite the rain, Falun Gong practitioners stood quietly by the roadside holding banners with messages such as “Stop the CCP’s Persecution of Falun Gong,” “U.S. House Passes Falun Gong Protection Act Again,” “U.S. House Passes Bill to Stop Organ Harvesting,” “The World Needs Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance,” and “Falun Dafa is Good.” The peaceful and rational scene moved many passersby, who showed their support by waving, honking, or taking photos. Some even inquired on the spot about how to learn the practice.
Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is a spiritual discipline based on the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” and includes five sets of gentle exercises. Since the CCP launched a full-scale persecution on July 20, 1999, millions of practitioners in China have suffered illegal detention, torture, and even forced live organ harvesting.
US reaffirms condemnation of CCP’s persecution
On the eve of the 26th anniversary of the persecution, the U.S. Department of State reiterated its stance. A spokesperson told The Epoch Times:
“For 26 years, the Chinese Communist Party has been suppressing Falun Gong practitioners and their families. We once again call on the CCP to immediately cease its campaign to eradicate Falun Gong.”
This year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two key bills:
1) The Falun Gong Protection Act; and
2) The Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act.
The bills have now been sent to the Senate for a vote.
Former senator and current U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a long-time advocate for religious freedom in China, emphasized:
“The United States will not tolerate such large-scale acts of evil.”
Florida Senator Rick Scott stated bluntly that the CCP’s organ harvesting is “horrifying,” while Texas Representative Brian Babin called it: “A crime beyond human comprehension.”
CCP’s infiltration and transnational suppression escalates
Falun Gong practitioners are facing increasing levels of harassment and suppression by the CCP even within the United States. Since 2024, over 140 incidents of intimidation and harassment against Falun Gong have been reported across the country. Among them was a bomb threat made to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on the opening night of a Shen Yun performance, drawing attention and condemnation from the White House.
According to whistleblowers, these actions are directed by China’s Ministry of State Security and are part of a “transnational repression order” issued by Xi Jinping in 2022. Tactics include spreading disinformation about Falun Gong through overseas media, leveraging legal systems to attack Falun Gong organizations, and even attempting to pressure the U.S. government into investigations.
The FBI previously uncovered a plot in which two Chinese agents attempted to bribe an American tax official in a failed effort to revoke Shen Yun Performing Arts’ tax-exempt status. Both agents have since been convicted and sentenced.
Texas Representative Michael McCaul noted: “The CCP hates Falun Gong because it revives the memory of China before Communist rule.”
Saipan locals support justice and religious freedom
Many passersby expressed their support at the event. A local American named Santiago remarked: “This is a pure energy — peaceful, beautiful, blessed, and hopeful. They represent the values this world needs.”
At 7:30 p.m., a candlelight vigil was held to mourn those Falun Gong practitioners who have lost their lives in the persecution and to call on the international community to stop the CCP’s crimes against humanity.
Background
Falun Gong was introduced to the public in Changchun, China in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Due to its remarkable health benefits and moral teachings, the practice quickly spread and was initially supported by the government. However, after its popularity grew with tens of millions of practitioners, the CCP launched a full-scale ban and crackdown on July 20, 1999. Today, Falun Gong is freely practiced in over 140 countries and regions around the world.
