(Minghui.org) Passersby sat down to listen to the Tian Guo Marching Band play at City Hall Plaza in Parramatta at the start of a rally for Falun Gong on July 29, 2017

Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) practitioners shared their personal experiences and demonstrated and taught the exercise to those who were interested.

A rally in Parramatta, Sydney, raises awareness of Falun Gong and the ongoing persecution in China.

John Deller, spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Association of Australia, talked about what Falun Gong is and why it is being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Falun Dafa was introduced to the public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi, its founder. Within 7 years, nearly 100 million Chinese were practicing the exercises, more than the number of people who belonged to the CCP. Jiang Zemin, the leader of the Party at the time, ordered the persecution of Falun Dafa out of jealousy.

Although it is officially suppressed, Falun Dafa is still widely practiced in China. And since 1992, the practice has been embraced and honored in more than 100 countries worldwide.

James Shaw, an attorney and a candidate and former councilman of Parramatta City, said at the rally that he often saw Falun Gong practitioners meditating near City Hall Plaza and participating in community events.

“I appreciate your contributions to the community,” he said, “and I firmly believe that everyone in the world has the right to basic human rights, no matter who you are or what your belief.”

Candidate and former city councilman attorney James Shaw speaking at the rally

Candidate and former councilman Mr. Andrew Wilson said that people should support Falun Gong, whether in Australia or the rest of the world: “We may have different beliefs, but we all agree that people have the right to believe.”

Mr. Charles Camenzuli, a civil engineer and long resident of Parramatta, voiced his support of Falun Gong at the rally and reminded people to be aware of the Chinese Communist regime infiltration through such avenues as the Confucius Institute.

Indian Australian Falun Gong practitioner Abhi shared his experiences with the audience.

Jessica Jenguyen signs a petition opposing the persecution of Falun Gong.

Mr. Pummy Kauer and Mrs. Kaur observe the Falun Gong exercise demonstration.

Learning the Falun Gong exercises

Passersby wanted to learn more about Falun Gong.