(Clearwisdom.net) September 13, 2008 was election day for councilors and mayors around the state of New South Wales in Australia. Prior to this day, Falun Gong practitioners in various electorates of Sydney participated in interactive forums held by the candidates. At these forums, beside listening to policy views and the future plans of candidates, Falun Gong practitioners utilized the opportunity to tell people about Falun Gong and about the brutal persecution that is taking place in China under the Chinese communist regime.

Auburn candidate listens to a Falun Gong practitioner explain the facts behind the persecution

On the night of September 11, community members in Auburn and local candidates participated in an interactive forum held in Lidcombe Library. Through interpreters, the candidates interacted positively with local constituents.

A display of Falun Gong truth-clarification materials was located in a conspicuous location at the side of the venue. People could see the materials as soon as they walked in. Every candidate who participated in the forum received Falun Gong materials.

The MC first welcomed all the forum participants, and thanked those who attended in the midst of such busy times. Then he introduced Falun Dafa, an ancient cultivation way that brings benefits to people's mind and body. He explained that the practice originated in China and is based on the universal principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, with five sets of gentle and easy-to-learn exercises. The practice has spread to more than 80 countries worldwide, attracting more than 100 million practitioners in its rapid development. During the forum, videos which clarified the facts about Falun Gong were also shown. The videos gave exposure to the Chinese communist regime's relentless persecution, including its harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners. The practitioners also told people that there is no freedom of belief under the Chinese communist dictatorship.

One Falun Gong practitioner told of his personal experience about how he was freed from serious illness, and became a healthy person who followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion- Forbearance in his daily actions.

Practitioners told forum participants that the Chinese communist regime not only persecutes Falun Gong inside China, but has also reached its hands into Australia's free, democratic society. They exposed a particular case in which the Chinese Consulate wrote a letter to an Australian government official, requesting that the official put a stop to activities held by local Falun Gong practitioners. Upon hearing this, an independent candidate immediately declared that if he were to receive such a letter, he would immediately report it to the police and condemn the Chinese Consulate's intervention in Australia's local governance.

Yang Sang, and independent candidate of Korean origin, said that he completely understood the tactics used by the Chinese communist regime. He supported Falun Gong practitioners' righteous actions in standing up against the persecution and protecting their right to freedom of belief

The event proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere, and all participants were eager to receive Falun Gong materials.