(Minghui.org) (Continued from Part 1)

Australian Falun Dafa Association Calls on All Sectors to Help Stop the Persecution

John Deller from the Australian Falun Dafa Association addresses the rally. (Minghui.org)

John Deller, spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Association of Australia, said in his speech: “Today we honor the efforts of Falun Dafa practitioners in China and around the world who continue to uphold the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance during 27 years of persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“Communism is a godless system built on lies and deceit. It can only survive in China when people accept the lies of the CCP. Millions of Falun Dafa practitioners have been incarcerated; hundreds of thousands have died following torture, or were killed by forced organ harvesting. Why? Because they uphold their belief in being honest, kind and good, and seek to protect what is righteous in human life.

“The CCP controls all people in China and seeks to extend its control into every country, even in Australia, through all levels of government.

“The sooner the Chinese people stop accepting the Party’s lies, and Australia awakens to the Party’s lies, the persecution of Falun Dafa will end and China will become a more humane and safer place not only for the people of China, but for all the world.

“We hope anyone here today who has a compassionate heart, a sense of conscience, and a righteous understanding of human life, would take your concerns to your MP and say to them, ‘I know about this and I want you to represent Australians’ values. We are not a compliant people who would follow an evil authoritarian regime just so we can benefit financially.’”

China Expert: Exposing the Evil Regime

China expert Prof. Feng Chongyi speaks at the rally. (Minghui.org)

Human rights researcher Professor Feng Chongyi expressed his support and respect for Falun Gong: “Actually the whole world admires your courage and wisdom.”

He explained the reason behind the persecution, saying, “The CCP persecutes you. It is not because you did something wrong, but because you face an evil regime. Because of its evil nature, the regime is hostile to any different ideas, organizations, religions, and groups. Thus, it spares no effort in persecution to eliminate different thoughts and organizations. This is the sole reason for you to suffer the decades-long persecution.

“You are fighting courageously, especially by systematically exposing the evilness of this regime, making more and more people and the international community awaken.”

National Director of Family First Party: A Privilege to Support Falun Gong

Lyle Shelton, National Director of the Family First Party, speaks at the rally. (Minghui.org)

Lyle Shelton, National Director of the Family First Party, said, “It’s a great privilege and a pleasure to be here once again supporting the Falun Dafa movement in Australia and this important anniversary of your persecution.”

He said that the protest was not against the Chinese people, but about sustaining a public debate and discussion about the evils of the CCP and helping the wider population understand the dangers it poses. This includes the Falun Dafa community and all people who love freedom and democracy.

President of the Australian Uyghur Association: Falun Gong Inspires Us

Human rights advocate Bahtiyar Bora speaks at the rally. (Minghui.org)

Bahtiyar Bora, President of the Australian Uyghur Association, said, “For more than 27 years, Falun Gong practitioners have endured arbitrary detention, torture, and the persecution for peacefully practicing their faith. Their unwavering commitment to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance have inspired people around the world, including me and our people. As Uyghurs, we understand this suffering deeply.

“We choose solidarity over silence. We call on the Australian Government and the international community to continue to defend universal human rights, to resist transnational repression and foreign interference, and to push for accountability for those who commit serious human rights violations.”

Former MP: The CCP Wants to Control People

Mr. Craig Kelly, former Member of Parliament (MP), addresses the rally. (Minghui.org)

Craig Kelly served as Member of Parliament for the Division of Hughes in the Australian Federal Parliament for nearly a decade and ran for the Senate, representing the Libertarian Party, in the last federal election. He has spoken up for freedom of conscience for many years and opposes any form of authoritarian rule.

Mr. Kelly shared a story in his speech: “Around 25 years ago, I was traveling through China. I was in Shenzhen at a place many of you may know, the Mission Hills Golf Course. And as I was checking into the hotel there, there was a concierge next to the check-in, which had all the typical tourist brochures that you would expect to see.

“But amongst those tourist brochures there was one pamphlet that stood out. And it was a pamphlet that was produced by the Chinese Communist Party. And it told me that Falun Gong and Falun Dafa were bad.

“It was government propaganda. It was not true. And from that time I would ask myself, why is a totalitarian regime, the Chinese Communist Party, so hell-bent on attacking the good people of Falun Gong and Falun Dafa? And I realized it was about control.

“A totalitarian regime wants to control its people. It wants to suppress freedom of speech and suppress independent thought. And from that moment on, I’ve been very sympathetic and supporting of the Falun Gong and Falun Dafa cause.

“We must continue to speak out because our courage is contagious. As we sit here enjoying the freedoms of speaking in the great Martin Place of Sydney, right now there are Falun Gong practitioners subject to being tortured and imprisoned in China today.

“Let’s hope that by speaking out, they may hear that there are people in Australia brave enough to stand up and speak out for them. That should give them courage to continue their fight. We will continue to speak out and fight for the Falun Gong principles of compassion and forbearance.”

Federal Election Candidate: I Admire the Three Principles of Falun Dafa

Former federal election candidate Ganesh Loke speaks at the rally. (Minghui.org)

Former federal election candidate Ganesh Loke said, “I admire the three principles of Falun Dafa: Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. These three principles are really precious and I have based my own life on these principles.”

Human Rights Activist: Falun Gong Was Popular in China

Bob Vinnicombe, human rights activist, addresses the rally. (Minghui.org)

Human rights activist Bob Vinnicombe said, “We are here today because 27 years ago, in 1999, the Chinese Communist dictatorship found a philosophy and way of thinking—directly opposed to Marxism, Leninism, Stalinism, Maoism—had captured the minds of millions of Chinese people.

“In other words, the Falun Gong system of exercises and meditation had to be stopped. Their answer was to ban it and round up anyone who publicly practices exercises and jail them, torture them, to make them renounce their beliefs, use them as slave labor, or kill them.

“There are many other religions and beliefs in Communist China—Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and many others. They’re the main ones, which are also, of course, suppressed. But the Chinese Communist dictatorship saw Falun Dafa practitioners as an even greater threat because they didn’t hide behind closed doors.”

Candlelight Vigil Commemorates Practitioners Who Died in the Persecution

The day after the rally, practitioners held a candlelight vigil in front of Sydney Town Hall on July 17 to mourn the practitioners who have lost their lives over the course of the brutal suppression of Falun Gong and to call for an end to the persecution.

Candlelight vigil in front of Sydney Town Hall on July 17 (Minghui.org)

Amidst the twilight and drizzling rain, the flickering candles created a gentle radiance, illuminating the serene and steadfast practitioners. It was a solemn and deeply moving scene. Many passersby stopped to learn about the event and express their support. Some people also took photos and videos.

Protesting in Front of Chinese Consulate

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises across from the Chinese Consulate on July 20 and protest the persecution. (Minghui.org)

Practitioners also did the Falun Gong exercises together across from the Chinese Consulate in Sydney on July 20 to protest the persecution and to call for an end to the human rights atrocities.