(Minghui.org) "It's been six years since I first learned about the persecution of Falun Gong. I can't stand that this is still going on! Please send me more information. My daughter will post it on her Facebook, and help you create a special website. I'll let more people view it, and speak out for you to stop such a cruel, unjust and terrible thing from continuing in this world," exclaimed Daniella.
The high school English teacher was one of several people who voiced their support during the "Great Wall of Truth" event and signature drive held by Falun Gong practitioners in Burwood, Sydney on July 27, 2014.
More and more local residents like Daniella are learning about Falun Gong and the persecution through practitioners' continuous efforts to raise awareness of the brutal persecution since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated it on July 20, 1999. They are moved by the persistent efforts of practitioners and offered to help tell more people about it, so as to end it as soon as possible.
Burwood residents sign a petition to support ending the persecution of Falun Gong
Daniella, a high school teacher wants to help spread the word about the persecution
Daniella paused in front of the Great Wall of Truth, which was formed by practitioners who held banners containing information about the persecution.
After learning more, she not only signed her name, but also those of her four family members on a signature collection form.
She told practitioners that it's evil that the CCP arrests, tortures and kills people who practice this ancient cultivation way that carries such positive energy.
Deeply moved by practitioners' suffering, Daniella embraces Ms. Wang
Ms. Wang Xiaofang, 70, was once held in the Wulabo Women's Forced Labor Camp in Xinjiang for a year for practicing Falun Gong in China. Through an interpreter, she told Daniella, "When I was in the labor camp, they stabbed me with needles, deprived me of sleep, and forced me to sit in a squatting position for long periods. If I moved a bit, they would slap me. I was in my late 50s then, and they drew my blood three times (allegedly for the purpose of harvesting her organs when needed)." Daniella was touched by Ms. Wang's ordeal, and had tears in her eyes.
Accountant Lilly and her friend Laurice passed by the Great Wall of Truth and were stunned by what they saw on the banners. They took pictures and then walked over to the practitioners to learn more about the persecution.
Practitioner Judy told the two ladies her personal experience of being persecuted when she was in China. Judy said, "The prison guards deprived me of sleep for seven consecutive days in an attempt to force me to renounce Falun Gong. They also made me squat in a small circle, motionless. They would beat me if I moved. They also said, 'If you stop practicing Falun Gong, you'll be released and reunited with your family.'"
Judy continued, "I went on a hunger strike to protest the persecution. The guards used a finger-thick tube (not the thin tube for medical use) and inserted it into my nose to force feed me cornmeal that had gone bad, and a mixture of a dirty, salty liquid with flies in it. Their force-feeding was not to rescue me, but to torture me."
When she heard this, Lilly became very sad, and said, "Why didn't you pretend and tell them you would stop practicing, so you didn't have to suffer so much?"
Judy replied peacefully and sincerely, "We cultivate Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I must tell the truth, and I can't tell lies against my will. The guards deliberately do so to force me to renounce my faith. One practitioner died as soon as the guards force-fed something into her lung. I also knew a female university student your age who refused to be 'transformed,' so two guards raped her in front of two criminal inmates ..." Tears ran down Judy's face and it was hard for her to continue speaking. As they listened, Lilly and Laurice also shed tears.
Laurice (left), Judy and Lilly (right) wiped away their tears before a photo was taken
Judy continued, "I'm lucky because my child studies here, so I managed to come here to visit her and escaped the persecution in China. But tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners are still enduring it. I'm here today to use my personal experience to help raise awareness of the persecution and call for help to end it as soon as possible."
Lilly took pictures of the information on the banners to help spread the word
Lilly said, "I'd love to help if there is anything I can do. Please let me know when you have protest activities, so that I can participate. This is the first time I have understood that there are systematic torturing of people and how severe it is. This is my telephone number and email address. Please send me more related information and I'll put it on my Facebook."