(Minghui.org) Practitioners in the San Francisco Bay Area gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate on Saturday, April 25, 2025, to commemorate the 26^th anniversary of the April 25 Appeal. They called for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) brutal persecution of Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa). Passers-by learned about the event and expressed their support.

Rally in front of the Chinese Consulate commemorates the 26^th anniversary of the April 25 Appeal

Practitioner Deepak Yadav (first from left) holds a banner in front of the Chinese Consulate.

Mr. Deepak Yadav, the owner of a software company who was on a business trip in San Francisco, went to the Chinese Consulate to participate in the event.

Mr. Yadav said, “I practice Falun Gong. I support the peaceful and rational petition of more than 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in 1999. It was a peaceful feat and a historic event. At that time, Falun Gong practitioners peacefully petitioned the government to provide them with a normal environment so they could practice.”

Talking about the significance of April 25, he said, “The April 25 petition shows people that when the rights granted to you by the Constitution are deprived by the government, you can petition peacefully. This set an example for the world. When encountering such a thing, this is the right thing to do.”

Mr. Yadav, who began practicing Falun Gong in 2005, said, “After practicing Falun Gong, I benefited physically and mentally and changed a lot. My temper has improved, and I became more kind and patient towards my family and employees. They said that I became a better person.”

Public Supports Falun Gong

Kelly, who passed by the practitioners’ activity site, said, “I fully support what you are doing. I am especially grateful for your quiet petitioning method, which is more powerful than those loud protests. People are more willing to listen to your appeals in this way. I support you in opposing the CCP’s persecution.

“I believe that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are the truths that guide life,” she said. “We all need them in our lives. I am happy that you are holding an event here today. Please continue. I wish you all the best.”

Patrick and his wife support Falun Gong

Architect Patrick said that there are many reports about the CCP’s human rights violations. It is well known that many bad things have happened in China. The CCP abuses the Chinese people, and changes need to happen there. Power should be returned to the Chinese people so that they can enjoy their human rights.

Talking about the CCP’s forced organ harvesting, he said, “This does not shock me, because the CCP has committed many crimes of human rights violations. They brainwash the people and it is heartbreaking.

“I fully support Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” he said. “I believe that everyone should have the right to live freely and be free from persecution.”

His wife Angela agrees with her husband and said, “We believe that people should have good intentions, be friendly and compassionate to others, and let people freely choose their own lifestyle. The CCP’s forced organ harvesting is deeply disturbing.”

AJ Murchison wishes to learn more about Falun Gong.

Musician AJ Murchison said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are great, and I admire them. I think Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are very important and will always be important. They are the truth. We should treat each other with sincerity.”

Seeing the picture of Falun Gong practitioners meditating on the leaflet, he said that he tried to meditate and found it effective. “Meditation is important. Meditation can help people relax. I need to learn more about Falun Gong.”

He said that the CCP’s forced organ harvesting “is wrong. No one should be abused like this. It makes me feel heartbroken.”

Mya

Mya, a San Francisco resident, said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are beautiful. I think they are indispensable and the most important principles in society. Falun Gong practitioners’ petition is very peaceful.” She said the CCP’s forced organ harvesting is horrific.

Richard Rodriguez

Local resident Richard Rodriguez learned about the April 25 petition and the CCP’s subsequent persecution of Falun Gong. He said, “The persecution is wrong, absolutely wrong, and it makes people sad. Everyone should enjoy freedom of belief.”

Marcos Julio explained that he’s a Christian, and said he was happy to learn about the April 25 appeal. He said, “This activity is very good and peaceful. I agree with Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I like these principles and I think people should respect each other.”

He was shocked by the CCP’s forced organ harvesting, “Harvesting organs from people while they are alive, killing people against their will—my God, this is completely wrong, this is a disregard for life.”

Lucas, who works near the Chinese Consulate, said that he supports Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, “If people all follow this principle, they will treat each other sincerely and it will be beneficial to society. I will follow this principle.”