Calgary, Canada: Rally Commemorates the April 25 Appeal

(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Calgary on April 24, 2025 to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the April 25 peaceful appeal in China.

Falun Gong practitioners hold a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Calgary on April 24, 2025.

On April 25, 1999, over 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners gathered outside the State Council Appeals Office in Beijing, with three requests: release the illegally-detained practitioners in Tianjin, lift a ban on Falun Gong publications, and ensure a lawful environment for practitioners to practice.

Upholding Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, the practitioners quietly stood on the sidewalk. They held no banners and they did not shout slogans. The event was praised by overseas media as the largest peaceful appeal in modern Chinese history.

Just as practitioners did 26 years ago, practitioners in Calgary peacefully stood on the sidewalk. They held banners which read, “Commemorating the April 25 Peaceful Appeal,” “Falun Dafa Is Good,” and, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” among other messages. They talked to people about Falun Gong and also exposed the ongoing persecution of practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Because the event took place during the after-work rush hour, many cars passed by. Some drivers honked their horns to show their support. Many people stopped to talk to practitioners and expressed their concern, and some said they were interested in learning more about Falun Gong.

Background

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. Its teachings are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Millions of people who have embraced Falun Dafa’s teachings and exercises have experienced improved health and well-being.

The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Falun Dafa’s main book Zhuan Falun has been translated into 50 languages. Mr. Li Hongzhi and Falun Dafa have received over 5,800 proclamations, awards, resolutions and letters of support from governments around the world. Dafa’s tenets of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are cherished by people all around the world, but this belief is severely persecuted in China.