(Minghui.org) The number of people who have withdrawn from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its associated organizations reached 200 million in April. To celebrate this milestone and to continue to expose the Party's crimes, the Sydney chapter of the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party held a rally in Belmore Park on April 18.
Several invited speakers condemned the CCP's 16-year persecution of Falun Gong, and affirmed that quitting the party helps Chinese people see a bright future “free from a system based on lies, corruption and violence.”
Many people signed a petition to support Falun Gong's peaceful resistance, and a number of Chinese people quit the party during the rally.
Rally in Belmore Park, Sydney to support the 200 million who have renounced their CCP membership.
Signing the petition to support Falun Gong's peaceful resistance.
Rally visitors read about the CCP's crimes.
A Movement Based on the Awakening of Each Individual's Soul
Dr. Li Yuanhua, representative of the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party, speaks at the rally.
Dr. Li Yuanhua, who helped organize the event, pointed out that the trend of quitting the party is not a political campaign. Instead, it is a movement based on the awakening of individuals' souls. The movement was initiated by the book Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party being published in 2004.
In his speech, Dr. Li quoted Mr. Mart Laar, two time Prime Minister of Estonia, who in 2010 said “Quitting the CCP is a wonderful idea,” and “The future of China lies in the quitting the CCP movement.”
John Deller, spokesman for the Falun Dafa Association in Australia, addresses the rally.
John Deller, spokesman for the Falun Dafa Association in Australia, introduced the role of Falun Gong practitioners in the trend of quitting the party.
Mr. Deller noted, “Through Falun Dafa, Chinese people have rediscovered the spiritual essence and moral foundations of traditional Chinese culture. The thoughts and actions of Falun Dafa practitioners in China and around the world are helping more and more Chinese seek to sever their ties with the Chinese Communist Party.”
City Councilor Andrew Wilson: The CCP Has Lost Its Bravest and Best People.
Andrew Wilson, Parramatta City Councillor, supports the trend of quitting the party.
Andrew Wilson, Parramatta City Councillor, praised those who have withdrawn from the Party for their courage and choice. “They have taken a moral stand for themselves and their families, knowing that materially it is going to disadvantage them.”
Wilson also discussed the Chinese regime's state-sanctioned organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners. A documentary on this issue was aired recently by the Australian TV network, SBS. Mr. Wilson has been active in trying to urge the government to pay attention to this crime against humanity.
Mr. Wilson concluded his speech with a warning to the CCP: “To the Chinese Communist person – I know will be watching this today – you haven't just lost 200 million people; you've lost your bravest and your best.”
City Councillor John Hugh: “I Must Be Responsible to My Soul First”
Parramatta City Councillor John Hugh condemns the CCP's forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience.
Parramatta City Councillor John Hugh also strongly condemned the Chinese government for harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. “This is the worst crime against humanity. And such a crime is being committed by the Chinese Communist government,” he said.
He told the rally audience about a personal experience in dealing with the CCP.
“When I was applying for a Chinese visa for an official visit last year, the Chinese Consulate in Sydney placed two conditions on me. First, not to support the Falun Gong group's organ harvesting claims. Second, not to attend any gatherings of Falun Gong practitioners.”
He said, “I am breaking both conditions today. I offer no apology for this decision because I must be responsible to my soul first. I am glad to support this event.”
City Councillor James Shaw: “The International Community Should Conduct Investigations into the Forced Organ Harvesting”
The documentary on organ harvesting aired on SBS made a profound impact on many speakers at the rally. Parramatta City Councillor James Shaw also saw the documentary. In his speech, he said he believed that the Australian government and the United Nations should conduct investigations into these crimes.
Shaw said that Australia is a part of the international community. “As a major trading partner of China, and someone who is engaged economically with China, we need to be saying that China needs to comply with any requests from the United Nations and the international community with the investigations.”
Human right activist Bob Vinnicombe echoed Shaw's sentiments. “No one can take comfort in the promise of the Chinese government to end the use of executed prisoners as a source of organs, because the Chinese Communist Party, like all communists, are pathological liars,” he said.
“No longer can the Australian government and Australian media turn a blind eye to this ongoing atrocity on the grounds that they have no proof. Because now they have been presented with the proof,” Vinnicombe said.
Vietnamese Community Leader Thang Ha: “We Need More Support for Those Active Members to Withdraw from the CCP”
Vietnamese community leader Dr. Thang Ha calls for more support for withdrawals from the CCP.
Dr. Thang Ha, president of the New South Wales Chapter of the Vietnamese Association in Australia, condemned the persecution of Falun Gong in China.
In his speech, he urged the Australian people and the government to stand with Falun Gong practitioners and human rights activists, to fight for human rights, freedom and democracy and for the people who have been suppressed by the communist regime.
Dr. Thang said, “We are here to celebrate 200 million brave Chinese people who have withdrawn from the Chinese Communist Party. But 200 million is not enough. We need more support to encourage those active members to withdraw from the CCP, until there is no more CCP or communism existing in this world!”
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Category: Rallies & Protests
