(Minghui.org) “It was a political trap designed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It twisted the peaceful appeal, claiming it was a ‘siege.’ The CCP was trying to create an excuse to launch the persecution three months later,” said Ms. Zhou, who now lives in England.

Ms. Zhou practices Falun Gong, and she participated in the peaceful appeal on April 25, 1999. That day, more than 10,000 practitioners went to the Appeals Office to ask that the practitioners who were illegally arrested in Tianjin be released. Practitioners who went to Beijing quietly stood along Fuyou Street near the Appeals Office. Premier Zhu Rongji met with practitioner representatives, and the issue was resolved. Many people praised the event, and some media said it was China’s largest, most peaceful act of upholding human rights.

Ms. Zhou recalled that police officers were already stationed there earlier that day. They led practitioners to stand outside Zhongnanhai, the CCP’s main compound. Practitioners stood along the footpath and left room for people to walk past. The police blocked traffic and claimed practitioners were “besieging” Zhongnanhai. Three months later, Jiang Zemin, who was head of the CCP, launched the persecution of Falun Gong, which still continues today.

To commemorate the 27th anniversary of this peaceful appeal, practitioners in England held a parade and press release in downtown London on April 25, 2026. They called on international society to help stop the CCP’s decades long brutal persecution. The activities gained support from many UK Members of Parliament. They criticized the CCP for its human rights abuses and expressed serious concern regarding the recent escalation of transnational repression.

Practitioners held a grand parade in central London on April 25, 2026.

The parade started from the Chinese embassy, marched past the busiest parts of downtown London and Chinatown, and concluded at Trafalgar Square. A press conference was held afterward. Practitioners held up banners with messages reading “Falun Dafa Is Great” and “Stop Persecuting Falun Gong.” Many people stopped to watch the parade.

The Courage and Peace of April 25 Has a Far Reaching Imprint in History

John Dee, chairman of the Europe Friends of Falun Gong, spoke at the press conference.

At the press conference, John Dee, chairman of the Europe Friends of Falun Gong, looked back at the historic significance of the peaceful appeal that took place 27 years ago: “That day, the courage and peace displayed by practitioners left a far reaching imprint in history. What they wanted was simply the freedom of speech and expression bestowed by the constitution.”

Caroline, a representative of the UK Falun Dafa Association, spoke at the press conference.

Caroline, representing the UK Falun Dafa Association, pointed out: “The persecution is not only taking place in China, the CCP even extended its black hand to all parts of the world. In England, we too are experiencing transnational repression by the CCP, including brainwashing propaganda, physical assault, even bomb threats.” She made clear the objective of the day’s activities in her speech: “Thoroughly stop this massacre and violence that has enveloped China for so long.”

She said, “We hope that today, everyone from all over the world can stand with us, pass on the spirit displayed in that spring in Beijing, 27 years ago: stand up for justice; see through the guise of the CCP’s propaganda, personally understand the facts on Falun Gong; safeguard peace, faith for the well being of the entire humanity.”

UK Members of Parliament: We Must Safeguard Falun Gong Practitioners’ Right to Freedom of Religion and Belief

Several UK elected officials sent letters to express their support and to show the government’s concern regarding the human rights abuses faced by Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Liam Conlon, UK Member of Parliament

In his letter from his office, Liam Conlon, UK Member of Parliament, focused on the issue of forced organ harvesting, pointing out the conclusion of the China Tribunal: “Indeed, the China Tribunal concluded that forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale, with Falun Gong practitioners and the Uyghurs being the main victims.” Liam wrote that he, “Continues to support the Government in championing freedom of religion or belief for all abroad.”

Ian Sollom, UK Member of Parliament

Ian Sollom, UK Member of Parliament, wrote in his letter: “I am sorry to read of the persecution that Falun Gong practitioners have been facing on British soil. I believe this to be part of the larger trend of Chinese overreach into our country... the government must do more to protect anyone in the UK from repression.”

People Pay Attention to the Persecution

The day’s activities was an opportunity for people in London as well as tourists to learn about the persecution.

Practitioners held activities on Trafalgar Square on April 25, 2026 and told people about the persecution in China.

Passersby sign the petition to call for an end to the human rights abuses targeting Falun Gong practitioners.

Many people stopped to watch, and take photos and video recordings. They accepted flyers offered by practitioners and signed the petition to call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Sam teaches in Canada

Sam, a teacher from Canada, said she saw similar events in Toronto, Canada years ago, “Honestly, I feel a little sad – the world has not changed fundamentally. Those who are ignored and misunderstood continue to suffer.”

She said, “I hope people will wake up to the truth soon, and realize the terror and trauma happening right now. Everyone should have freedom, be able to be their true self and not live under the shadow of an authoritarian rule.”

She said Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are universal values and thinks these are cornerstones that connect everyone.

Nick

After Nick, who is an artist, signed the petition to call for an end to the persecution, he said, “These brutalities are horrific. I want to know more so that I can tell those who are reluctant to believe this is true. This suffering is indeed happening.”

Nick was drawn to the peaceful atmosphere and commended the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He said, “If everyone follows these principles, maybe the world won’t be perfect in an instant, but it will be infinitely better.”

Ms. Lim signed the petition.

After she signed the petition, Ms. Lim said, “The bright yellow colors are very attractive, and attract people’s attention. The hardship practitioners endure should be made public.”

She said she plans to share today’s experience with her family and friends when she returns home.

Despite the CCP’s brutality for 27 years, including the organ harvesting, Falun Gong practitioners continue to follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and peacefully tell the world about the persecution.