(Minghui.org) University of Maryland student Philip Evich had an unusual experience this summer... walking in a Falun Gong march in Hong Kong. He said he was proud to do it.

Philip is not a Falun Gong practitioner, but decided to walk along with practitioners during the march on July 18, 2015. “Falun Gong practitioners are very peaceful and kind. Therefore, I support them,” he said.

Falun Gong practitioners marched in Hong Kong on July 18-19, 2015 to raise awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, on the 16th anniversary of their peaceful resistance. Mr. Evich attended the events on both days.

He was visiting his childhood friend Liao Yuyin, a Falun Gong practitioner. They grew up together in a small town in the United States. He didn't believe that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would deprive Falun Gong practitioners' freedom of belief. A close encounter with the Hong Kong Youth Care Association (YCA) changed his perception.

The YCA members were yelling and slandering Falun Gong practitioners during the march. He and Miss Liao went into the YCA group and had an exchange. Responding to why they were there, a YCA member said, “Because my friend asked me to be here.”

As to why the friend asked him to be there, the YCA member said, “I don't know, but I can get paid for this.”

“Do you like doing this?”

“No,” the member answered. “It's quite boring.”

“Do you know what Falun Gong is?”

“No,” the member replied. “They [practitioners] haven't really done anything [bad].”

Mr. Evich witnessed the impact Chinese Communist Party (CCP) lies, “The lies drive people to hate Falun Gong practitioners, and they don't even know why.” He said it was completely wrong to violate human rights and freedom of belief. “Everyone's belief should be respected, not hated,” he added.

Philip Evich (left), with friend Liao Yuyin. Philip said he was proud of walking in the Falun Gong march with practitioners.

The march on July 18, consisting of 700 Falun Gong practitioners, began at Cheung Sha Wan Playground at around 2:00 p.m., and ended at the Star Ferry Pier.

The march on July 19 focused on the current waves of criminal lawsuits against former dictator Jiang Zemin in China. The four-hour long parade went through Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Central, and ended at the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong.

The Divine Land Marching Band led the marches on July 18 and 19 in Hong Kong.

Israeli Falun Gong practitioner Artiom Tsilis said, “Falun Gong has helped me find the meaning and direction of my life.”

Artiom Tsilis is a Falun Gong practitioner from Israel. He has been in Hong Kong for two months for his job. This was his first time participating in a march in Hong Kong.

“We have to step forward to protect people's basic rights. People are even killed for their organs in China. Someone must tell people the truth when facts are covered up.” Mr. Tsilis said that helping people discern lies is a social responsibility.

He is 24, and has practiced Falun Gong for seven years. “Falun Gong has helped me find the meaning and direction of my life,” he said. “My life is enriched and I'm living it to the fullest.”

He carried a large flag in the procession on July 18. Even though he was walking into the wind throughout the procession, he said he was not tired at all. Propelled by the urge to inform the public of the truth, he reamained energetic, “I am happy to see spectators looking at the flags and reading the informational materials. I can do this all day long!”