(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a peaceful march in Brisbane raising awareness about the ongoing persecution in China, as the G20 Leaders' Summit took place in the host city on the same day.
Trailing behind a series of anti-persecution banners, spectators witnessed the graceful, slow-moving exercises performed by practitioners of Falun Dafa.
Falun Dafa practitioners holding anti-persecution banners at the rally
Falun Dafa practitioners marching during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brisbane
Retired immigration officer Fredrika Steen
Mr. John Duncan and daughter Amy
Australians Condemn Organ Harvesting in China
Prior to setting off, Falun Dafa practitioners attracted the attention of many passersby when performing their gentle exercises. Compared to the chaotic noise in the background, the melodious exercise music was quite comforting.
Freelancer Charlyn Cameron said, “It is terrible. I got over there (another assembly spot), and they are yelling oh…. And here is like… so nice, peaceful, very good.”
Ms. Cameron attended a Shen Yun Performing Arts show earlier this year. She said that she felt the same type of peaceful energy today as in the theater when watching Shen Yun.
“The persecution of such good people is unbelievable.” Ms. Cameron remarked upon learning that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) harvests organs from living Falun Dafa practitioners.
Local resident Diane Wilson said, “I read your materials, I signed your papers. … I am glad to see you here, I honor you. I love you.” She posed for a photo holding a banner reading: “Falun Dafa is good”.
Sara, her husband and their baby also watched Falun Dafa practitioners exercising. She said, “I just think it is silly because it is just peaceful and not doing anything wrong, it's meant to be helping. They [the CCP authorities] just try to control people, and it's not right.”
Retired immigration officer Fredrika Steen commented, “The world stage is a good place to remind the politicians that have been elected, that human rights belong to everyone, that they should pay more attention, to protecting human rights and letting people be people, to live in peace, not to make war. The people who are here today, the political leaders, let them save their warfare, money, and put them into the well-being of people for living in peace.
“It is a message to the leaders of this world, one world, that they have to do better to look after people, people are more important than things.”
Retired aviation engineer Max Forkai said that the G20 leaders should really look at humanity and not let their policies be driven by money all the time.
Nicola Grey, a friend of Mr. Forkai, said, “It [persecution] doesn't have a part in today’s world. World leaders, especially now at the G20 summit, should be looking into humanitarian means, to solve issues, not putting profit over people.
“I do know about what’s happening in China about the persecution of the people who practice Falun Dafa, know that what they practice is very peaceful, it's not hurting anyone. I think it is absolutely a crime against humanity, one of the most terrible sort, what is happening to them.
“They locked people up for practicing this peaceful Falun Dafa, and I’ve read about the terrible torture they’ve done to these people, keeping them up for days not letting them sleep, not letting them go to the bathroom, and trying to reprogram their minds, making them torture their friends, terrible. It is disgusting, happening in this world in 2014, and even worse they harvesting their organs. It's horrible, it's so awful that if you tell most people, they probably think it's not true, because it's too awful. I am completely against it.”
John Duncan knew about the persecution from his daughter Amy, who practices Falun Dafa. He said, “When my daughter had spoken to me about what’s happening in China, the live human organ transplant, it is absolutely horrific what goes on over there. So I am just here to lend my support as one person, to stand here to say I don't believe in what they're doing over there.”
Speaking of organ harvesting, Mr. Duncan said, “It is totally wrong, should not happen, the only reason they are doing it is for financial gain, and it is just totally wrong. They are taking one human life and saying you are less worthy and giving life to someone else. That’s not right, everyone has the same right to live.”
Delilah Seinson was shocked upon learning about the organ harvesting. She encouraged practitioners, “We have the spirit, keep strong, keep brave, we will win. So keep strong, keep strong.”
Jai Clancy read an organ harvesting flyer that he obtained at the site. He sat and watched Falun Gong practitioners for a long time. He said before leaving, “I already signed the [anti-organ harvesting] petition. It’s so bad, terrible. I have my social media. I’ll put this on my Facebook.”
Amy Read said, “Never heard of Falun Gong before, and organ harvesting as well. I will check that out, definitely something behind there. I’ll pass it around on social media, take some photos, spread them for awareness, get people to know about it.”
Australian Media Covers Falun Dafa's Protest Against the Persecution
The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) ran live coverage of the Falun Dafa practitioners' protest. Several of their reporters also followed the Falun Dafa procession in the march for some time. The practitioners' group exercises also attracted other local and national media such as The Brisbane Times and Channel 7.
Gabrielle and her friends from the University of Queensland shot a lot of footage of the practitioners. They had not heard of Falun Dafa or about the persecution before. They said that they would check it out and sign the online petition to call for an end to organ harvesting in China.
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Category: Rallies & Protests
