(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in Sydney held a candlelight vigil in Belmore Park on April 24, 2014, to commemorate the April 25 demonstration in Beijing 15 years ago, and mourn more than 3,000 Falun Gong practitioners confirmed to have died from the brutal persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Falun Gong practitioners in Sydney hold candlelight vigil in Belmore Park.

The April 25th demonstration 15 years ago marked the beginning of Falun Gong practitioners' peaceful and rational campaign to stop the brutal persecution in China. The persistent and non-violent approach earned support and respect from people and governments around the world. The practitioners clarify facts of Falun Gong with compassion, hoping people won't be deceived by the CCP lies.

Hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners gathered today in Sydney, and unfolded a large banner reading “15th Anniversary of Falun Gong April 25,” and demonstrated Falun Gong exercises wearing yellow uniforms. Their compassion and sincerity touched many people and received their support.

A Deep Bow of Appreciation

Jeff, a gentleman from South Africa, happened to pass the candlelight vigil. He stopped to read the Falun Gong display, and bowed deeply to them to show his appreciation. He told practitioners that he strongly supported them, and sympathized with the victims of the persecution. He said, “They risk their lives to distribute flyers and tell people the truth. I will support them forever.” He expressed wishes that the persecution would end soon.

Adelash Parsons signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution. She said that she supported Falun Gong practitioners and their truth clarification activities. She said that she hoped wider spread of the information in a variety of formats would bring more support. “We have to tell the CCP in one voice the persecution must stop!”

Thomas Dobson, a Falun Gong practitioner from France, happened to be China in 1999. He was there to learn Chinese language, so that he could read Zhuan Falun in its original language. He told many people facts about Falun Gong at the candlelight vigil, and some were interested in learning Falun Gong. Many Chinese people also accepted introduction materials from Thomas.

Personal Experience on April 25, 1999

Yang Yang, a young Falun Gong practitioner from Tianjin, told the reporter her personal experience of the April 25 demonstration, “An article in a magazine subscribed to by my school talked about how youth shouldn't practice Falun Gong. Many statements in the article weren't true. Many children in my city, including myself, had benefited from the practice.

We children practitioners jointly wrote a letter to the magazine, and the adult practitioners delivered the letter for us. We waited for a response at the school of education. Some practitioners from surrounding cities also came to tell the magazine how they benefited from the practice.

On the evening of April 23, the police beat Falun Gong practitioners and arrested them. I saw how my friend's father was beaten and arrested. We wanted to stop it, but another police officer blocked us and threatened us not to get close. A few other practitioners I know were also arrested. Some elderly practitioners were among those beaten.

I found my mother. Some young practitioners, mother, and I went to Tianjin City Government Appeals Office to appeal for the arrested. We were told the issue couldn't be resolved in Tianjin, and that we might have to go to Beijing to appeal. This is the reason for the April 25th Appeal.”

Mr. Deng Guoping and his wife also experienced the April 25 demonstration in Beijing. Deng said as time passed by, he realized how significant the event was. As stated by an expert on China, the April 25th demonstration initiated a peaceful and rational dialogue between the people and the CCP's violent regime. It created a perfect opportunity for the CCP to change its reputation and establish a fair social environment. However, the CCP chose to persecute Falun Gong, which led it into its serious crisis today. It could collapse at any time, and be buried in the tomb it dug for itself.