(Minghui.org) Practitioners held activities in Brisbane on July 18, including a march and rally, to tell people about the 27-year long persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The event was well supported by elected officials and community leaders. “We stand firmly in support of Falun Dafa, defending the universal rights of conscience and human dignity,” wrote Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts. “We will always stand by your side and support this vital cause.”
Falun Gong practitioners held a march in Brisbane’s city center on July 18, 2026. (Minghui.org)
The march began at noon and proceeded through major streets in the city center, including the bustling commercial district. The march was divided into several sections, which included the benefits of practicing Falun Gong, the CCP’s 27-year long suppression, mourning practitioners who lost their lives, and a call to end the persecution.
The practitioner activities included a rally. (Minghui.org)
After the march practitioners held a rally at Brisbane Square, where they did the exercises and displayed posters which illustrated the CCP’s brutality and commemorated practitioners who died in the persecution.
Passersby learned about Falun Gong and the CCP’s ongoing suppression. (Minghui.org)
Many people stopped, read the banners, and talked with practitioners to learn about this brutal persecution, including the CCP’s crime of harvesting organs from living practitioners. Some signed petitions that urged the CCP to end these egregious human rights abuses in China.
Queensland Falun Dafa Association Spokesperson: Release All Detained Falun Gong Practitioners
Nina Smyth addressed the rally. (Minghui.org)
Nina Smythe, a spokesperson for the Queensland Falun Dafa Association, introduced the event to passersby. “Falun Gong is a meditation system that is based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. After being introduced to the public in 1992, the practice grew rapidly, and about 100 million people practiced. Its unprecedented popularity led to former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin ordering it to be eradicated,” she said.
“Millions have suffered severe abuse in custody, and thousands have died from torture,” Smythe continued. “The CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong has also extended far beyond its borders, reaching into the international community, resulting in censorship, cyberattacks, and foreign interference, and carrying out of transnational repression.”
Smythe called on the Australian federal government and governments around the world to publicly condemn the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and called on the CCP to release all imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners, as well as stop the horrific crime of live organ harvesting.
Queensland Senator: The Ongoing Atrocities Are Deeply Concerning
Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts wrote a letter of support. (Minghui.org)
“I have been a steadfast supporter of this cause since first becoming aware of the severe injustices faced by those who follow the peaceful principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” wrote Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts. “This persecution is a tragedy that spans both inside and outside the borders of the People’s Republic of China, affecting innocent lives and violating fundamental human rights globally.
“The ongoing atrocities perpetrated against peaceful Falun Dafa followers are deeply concerning. I call on the CCP to immediately cease this brutal campaign of persecution, halt these human rights abuses, and unconditionally free all individuals who are currently imprisoned simply for exercising their right to freedom of belief.”
Queensland Federation of Taiwanese Associations Calls for an End to the Human Rights Abuses of Falun Gong Practitioners
The Queensland Federation of Taiwanese Associations also issued a letter of support. “We are deeply concerned by longstanding reports that Falun Gong practitioners have been subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearance, unlawful imprisonment, and other serious human rights violations because of their beliefs. No individual should be persecuted for peacefully practicing their faith or expressing their convictions,” the letter stated. “We therefore call on the relevant authorities to respect freedom of religion or belief and other fundamental human rights, to end all forms of persecution against Falun Gong practitioners and members of other religious or belief communities, and to safeguard every person’s dignity and fundamental freedoms.”
The letter also expressed deep concern about the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress adopted by the CCP, due to its potential harmful impact on people’s basic rights and freedom. “We believe that all legislation should be consistent with internationally recognized human rights standards and the rule of law. Measures introduced in the name of national security, ethnic unity, or social stability should not impose disproportionate restrictions on the freedoms of thought, belief, religion, culture, expression, or peaceful assembly,” the letter continued.
“As a Taiwanese community organization in Australia, we deeply value Australia’s democratic institutions, commitment to the rule of law, and multicultural society.” The letter concluded. “We will continue to support the promotion of universal human rights and advocate for resolving differences through peaceful dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to the rule of law. We oppose all forms of human rights abuses and political persecution.”
Television Producer: The March Is Deeply Moving
Lilia and Sebastian said that the CCP’s human rights abuses are unacceptable. (Minghui.org)
Lilia and Sebastian are television producers. They watched the Falun Gong march and recorded it with their phones. “The parade conveyed a clear message—the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong must stop! Although your group suffers brutal persecution, you’re exposing it in a very peaceful way,” Lilia said. “The music was touching. I don’t feel hatred—only a deep concern for practitioners’ suffering.”
Sebastian agreed, and said, “I was shocked to see a parade carrying portraits of some of the Falun Gong practitioners who died as a result of persecution. I felt very sad that so many vibrant lives were persecuted to death by the CCP. The atrocity of harvesting organs from living people is even more unbelievable to me. But these tragedies are still happening now.”
Both Lilia and Sebastian said that the CCP’s human rights abuses were unacceptable, and the whole world should say “No” to the CCP. They hope the persecution ends soon, and they wished the practitioners good luck.
The Persecution Must Stop
Sagar (first on left) walked in the march. (Minghui.org)
Sagar, an engineer from India on a business trip to Australia, lingered for a long time at the event in Brisbane Square, looking at Falun Gong practitioners’ banners and display boards. He accepted informational materials from the practitioners, and listened attentively as they explained what is going on in China. He said he sympathized with practitioners because they suffered.
“I can see that you are a very kind and peaceful group of people. The CCP has a terrible human rights record, including the persecution of Tibetans and Uyghurs in Xinjiang,” he said. “I didn’t realize that the persecution of your Falun Gong group was so severe. Especially the atrocity of harvesting organs from practitioners while they are alive. This is a crime against all of humanity.”
When Sagar saw the Falun Gong procession lining up to prepare for the parade, he joined the procession to show his support for the practitioners’ efforts to end the persecution. “The persecution has lasted for twenty-seven years, which is too long. The CCP’s human rights abuses must stop immediately!” he said.
Sagar signed the petition opposing the persecution, and said he would tell others so that more people would know the truth and stand on the side of justice.
Universal Values Should be Respected
Michelle, a nurse, and her high school son Josh stopped to watch the parade in Brisbane Square, and learned about Falun Gong. They were interested in learning about the persecution.
“Your principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance should be respected. The CCP’s persecution of good people is unacceptable,” Michelle said.
Josh said this was the first time he had heard about the persecution, and he thanked the practitioners. He said he would tell his classmates at school, especially those who are from China.
Overseas Chinese Quit the CCP
Mr. Zhang moved to Australia more than 20 years ago. Before the persecution started in 1999, he read Falun Gong books and learned about the practice. “Falun Gong can resolve illnesses and improve health, and teaches people to value morality and do good. However, the CCP has unreasonably persecuted it, which is wrong,” he said.
After learning that the Tiananmen self-immolation was staged by the CCP, he said the Party has always framed and slandered others. “During the 1989 Tiananmen Square student movement, they falsely accused patriotic students of being counter-revolutionary rioters. The regime later fabricated the Tiananmen self-immolation hoax to frame Falun Gong. It must be held accountable for the stupid and bad things it did that harmed people and China.”
Zhang agreed to renounce his membership in the two CCP organizations he had joined—the Youth League and the Young Pioneers. He also thanked practitioners for their efforts.
A mother and her son also withdrew from the CCP and its affiliated organizations. A Chinese student signed the petition to help end the persecution using his real name. He said he wished to support Falun Gong practitioners and their efforts to end the persecution.
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Category: July 20 Events
