(Minghui.org) Many people stopped to watch a tranquil group exercise activity at Commercial Bay in Auckland’s city center on April 18, 2026. Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) practitioners held the event to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the April 25th Appeal in Beijing. They demonstrated the exercises and raised awareness of the ongoing persecution in China. Some people said seeing the event made them think of freedom of belief and topics related to human rights.

Practitioners did the exercises at Commercial Bay in Auckland’s city center on April 18, 2026, to mark the 27th anniversary of April 25th Appeal.

A rally was held on April 16, 2026, to mark the 27th anniversary of April 25th Appeal.

The Tian Guo Marching Band performed during the event.

Practitioners held banners with messages about Falun Dafa and the persecution in China during activities held in Auckland’s city center.

Practitioners told people about the decades-long persecution by the CCP after the April 25th Beijing appeal in 1999. This prompted many residents to pay attention and think of the issue.

The tranquil scene of practitioners doing the exercises in this busy seaside commercial district showed people the beauty of Falun Dafa and the principles of the practice – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. It also helped people understand why practitioners appealed on April 25th, and its significance.

Keep Speaking Out

Malcolm Macrae thinks practitioners are justified in speaking the truth about the persecution.

Malcolm Macrae, a retired shipwright, felt moved after watching the practitioners’ peaceful exercises. When he was told about the appeal on April 25, 1999, he said, “When faced with unjust treatment, they [Falun Gong practitioners] must do this, yet be hopeful. There will be many setbacks in the process, perhaps there isn’t obvious progress but what’s important is to persevere because they are speaking the truth and it is justified.”

He thinks society should keep pursuing high moral standards, “Regardless of which country, people hope to become better, kinder, more rational. This often is at odds with certain people in power.”

He pointed out that the resilience shown by practitioners is powerful, “If the CCP suppresses you because of your practice, it goes to show you stirred them. It shows that what you are doing is meaningful.

“You must persevere, let more people know this. It’s a good thing to let people realize the truth.”

This Will Change the Future

Dugy thinks it’s important to tell people about the persecution.

Dugy said if children hear about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong, they will naturally think such actions are ridiculous, “If you explain this to children, they will say, ‘This is ridiculous, how can someone be stripped of the right to live because of their faith and be persecuted? This is obviously against common sense.’”

He thinks it is crucial for future generations to know about the persecution, “When children realize these things are not reasonable, they will stand up and change things.”

He also said the next generation is waking up, “If enough young people realize this, they will take action and push for change.”

Dugy pointed out that in reality many people neglect the severity of the situation because it takes place far away, “When these things don’t happen every day in front of your eyes, people often neglect it. But in fact, this has global impact.”

He thinks it is important to bring the truth to the public, “When you present these things to people, it makes them rethink, this is crucial. People need to be reminded – this is a problem that must be paid attention to.”

He expressed admiration for practitioners’ persistence in resisting the persecution peacefully, “This makes me proud as a human. You face tremendous pressure yet you continue to step out. This itself is a kind of power.”

He said, “People cannot take action if they don’t know something. You are making more people aware of this—so it’s very important. Perhaps it is difficult for this generation to completely change, but the next generation will do better and have a brighter future.”

Continue Exposing the Truth to the World

Savio Roy and his wife Ivana signed a petition to end the persecution.

Savio Roy and his wife Ivana, who are Australians on holiday, were shocked and angry to learn of the persecution that practitioners are experiencing. Savio said, “This is terrible. It is hard for one to accept and is shocking.”

When he learned of organ harvesting, he said, “If this is supported by the CCP, all the more it makes one uneasy. Yet there are many things in the world today that one has no choice but believe are true, such things may be happening.”

When practitioners told him of the April 25, 1999 peaceful protest in Beijing, he expressed support for citizens’ right to express their demands using peaceful means. “People should be allowed to peacefully express their convictions.”

He encouraged practitioners, “Keep working hard, raise public awareness using various means such as social media, etc., let more people know the truth. At the same time, you should push for governments in various countries to take action according to international laws.”

He said he believes that as long as practitioners continue to make efforts, it will bring about change in the end, “Although it’s not easy, as long as you keep working hard there will be a chance you can see changes take place.”

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Should be Promoted

Robin, a retiree, said after watching practitioners do the exercises that this form of cultivation gave her a peaceful and good impression. She said, “It feels very quiet, and relaxing. I love it.”

She also said that although she has never tried such spiritual practices, she’s recently been interested in improving her mind and body, “I have always been drawn to such gentle exercises. This kind of practice makes me calm down.”

While watching the exercise demonstrations, she said she could feel a kind of energy, “It is very peaceful and good for health. Compared to exercises like jogging that affects the kneecaps, this is a gentler way.” She said she agrees with Falun Gong’s concept of “mind and body are connected.” She said, “Yes, physical health is indeed inseparable from inner balance.”

When she learned that Falun Gong teaches the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, she said, “I love these values. Everyone should follow them.”

When practitioners described how they were persecuted, she expressed empathy and the importance of peaceful expression of one’s rights, “Everyone has the right to express their thoughts in a peaceful manner, and they should not be suppressed for this.”

Practitioners Share Personal Accounts of April 25 Protest

Three practitioners at the rally spoke about their personal experiences. They recalled the peaceful appeal in Beijing on April 25, 1999 from different angles. Ms Shen said she and other practitioners went to the State Appeals office in Fuyou streeet in Beijing after learning that practitioners in Tianjin had been unjustly arrested. Practitioners from all parts of China gathered at the scene. It was orderly, some people were reading the teachings. Some stood quietly. Although at one point the atmosphere was tense, practitioners continued to stay calm, and in the end when the problem was resolved that night, everyone left. She will never forget the peaceful scene.

Ms. You first spoke of how she began to practice Falun Gong and the positive changes that happened to her physically and mentally. She is grateful to Falun Dafa for the benefits it brought her. She recalled that on April 25, 1999, the scene of the appeal was solemn and peaceful. Practitioners waited quietly, and when they left the ground was clean. Their high standards and self discipline inspired the police officers who were there to respect them, and it made her more determined to practice cultivation.

Ms. Wang, who was also there, pointed out that there were no slogans shouted during the entire appeal, no signs, and no protests. Practitioners peacefully expressed their demands, which included releasing the arrested practitioners, resume publishing Falun Gong books, and the right to practice outdoors, etc... She thought the entire process was rational and orderly, and showed practitioners’ kindness and resilience.