(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a rally at Martin Place, in Sydney, Australia on July 14, 2023, to expose the 24-year-long persecution carried out by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Some invited guests expressed their admiration for the courage and perseverance of practitioners who have peacefully protested the CCP’s persecution for so many years in order to safeguard freedom of belief.
Practitioners started off the day’s events by doing the exercises.
Rally at Martin Place, Sydney on July 14, 2023
Dr. Feng Chongyi, a China scholar at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), addressed the rally.
Dr. Feng Chongyi said, “I have always admired the courage and perseverance of Falun Gong practitioners, who for so many years, defend the freedom of belief against the CCP regime. The CCP regime is the embodiment of all evils: Killing people, robbing, stealing, lying, and even conducting forced organ harvesting.”
He pointed out that under the inspiration of Falun Gong to expose the crimes of the CCP, the Chinese people have found more courage to stand up. He said, “We have witnessed the rights defense movement in China, and everywhere in China. People from all walks of life are defending their economic, political, cultural, and social rights, which have been diabolically trampled on by the communist regime.”
Dr. Feng said that the Chinese people are now facing a war of values, “The communist regime represents all evil. You are fighting for truth, for virtue, for all good things. Human beings need to resist this evil regime. As long as we stand united, virtue and universal values will triumph.”
Practitioners’ Efforts Praised and Supported
Cr Sreeni Pillamarri, Hornsby Shire Council Councillor, JP NSW, addressed the rally.
Cr Sreeni Pillamarri of New South Wales, said, “From 1999 to today, for 24 years, Falun Gong practitioners have relentlessly raised awareness to the world. They have won praise and support from the whole world. I think the CCP regime needs to be soberly aware of this fact and immediately stop the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including live organ harvesting.”
He said that the Falun Dafa group was a natural, peaceful, and integrated community, which cannot be found anywhere else. They should all applaud themselves and keep doing good things, especially the free teaching of the exercises. It’s awesome to keep doing this. He said he would always support them.
Justice Will Prevail
Sophie York, an Australian barrister
Sophie York, an Australian barrister and lecturer on the psychology of international law, said, “The legitimacy of the government comes from the support of the people. If the government does not protect the people, but ravages the people, then it is not only illegal, but also condoning crime. A government should not be allowed to commit crimes.”
She said that the CCP regime’s organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners is outrageous, and the whole world should be on high alert. What the world turns a blind eye to today, will be suffered as consequences tomorrow.
She pointed out that the CCP oppresses its own people. They extend fear, terror, and oppression to Hong Kong, Tibet, and Taiwan. The CCP has spread interference throughout the world. She said justice will prevail, and throughout history, it has always been so.
Andrew Wilson, former Lord Mayor of Parramatta, speaks in the rally.
Andrew Wilson, former Lord Mayor of Parramatta City in New South Wales, praised Falun Gong practitioners’ peacefully protesting the persecution.
He said, “That’s why I have so much respect for my Falun Dafa friends.
“Don’t let their (CCP’s) barbarism, viciousness, and inhumanity affect you. Stick to your principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. You are the victors! I believe China will be free.”
Paul Folley, general manager at Australian TFP, speaks at the rally.
When talking about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong, Paul Folley, general manager at Australian Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP), said, “This persecution is undoubtedly one of the major crimes against humanity in the contemporary era. Since the persecution of Falun Gong began in 1999, the live organ harvesting has continued on an industrial scale in China, which is a well-known fact.”
Foley also said there were many Australians who knew what was happening, “We are here today to testify for you and show our support for you. You are not alone today. We are with you. We will be with you until China becomes a free and open country, and the Chinese people can live like free people and breathe the free air that God has created for us all.”
Indu Harikrishna, president of Sydney Community Group, Australia
Indu Harikrishna, president of the Sydney Community Group in Australia, is very concerned about the freedom of belief of Falun Gong practitioners. She said, “We stand here with friends of Falun Gong. I am honored to participate in this event and support our Falun Gong practitioners. Please continue to fight strong. We are with you.”
Public Support
People learn about Falun Dafa and sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution.
David Taliai
David Taliai, who works in finance in the Martin Place area of central Sydney, said, “It’s a good thing that so many people have come out together to show the Australian people what’s going on in China. We don’t know exactly what’s going on because China has a censorship system and the government controls everything.”
He liked the exercises, and said, “This exercise looks peaceful and elegant, and it seems to be good for the body, mind, and spirit.”
Talking about the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, he said, “I feel that if everyone acts according to these principles and upholds these values, then the world will be a better place. I understand that truthfulness should mean we must be honest, to reveal the truth, not to cover up the truth. Compassion means that we should treat everyone fairly, and treat others as you want others to treat you.”
Talking about Falun Gong practitioners’ protesting the persecution, he said, “It is a good thing that some people stand up bravely to oppose the CCP, expose what the CCP is doing behind the scenes, and remind people not to be deceived by superficial lies because the truth is not like simple things on the surface.
“It’s important that they stand up for what they think is right. We need people like this because there aren’t many of them, and it’s harder especially for most Chinese people. It’s good that they are brave enough to stand up and fight for human rights. At the same time, it just shows that they love their country and think about their country and their people.”
Isaac Pudney
Isaac Pudney, who heard about Falun Gong for the first time, said, “I think it’s wonderful for people to have the opportunity to concentrate on meditation and to experience it. On this beautiful morning, they look calm and graceful, which is really beautiful.”
Talking about Falun Gong practitioners practicing in accordance with Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, he said, “I think it is very good that they can follow these beautiful principles. I think that on the anniversary day, they can peacefully protest the CCP (persecution). It is very good.”
Background: What Is Falun Dafa and Why Is the CCP Persecuting It?
Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings, which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and have learned the five exercises, have experienced improved health and well-being.
Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline’s growing popularity as a threat to the CCP’s atheistic ideology, and on July 20, 1999, he issued an order to eradicate the practice.
Under Jiang’s personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.
Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 24 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. Countless practitioners have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.
There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply China’s organ transplant industry.
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Category: Rallies & Protests
