(Minghui.org) Many Sydney residents learned about state-sanctioned organ harvesting in China from a “Great Wall of Truth” on August 30. The “Great Wall of Truth” was formed by Falun Gong practitioners on the streets of Eastwood, a Sydney suburb with a high Asian population. Many citizens voiced concern, volunteered to spread the word, and signed a petition calling for an end to organ harvesting atrocities.
The “Great Wall of Truth” is composed of banners and display boards highlighting the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Practitioners line up along sidewalks and create a display stretching over several city blocks, hence the name “Great Wall.”
The “Great Wall of Truth” has been used in many cities around the world in recent years.
Peter and Jane pause to read the banners.
A Falun Gong practitioner tells a passerby about organ harvesting atrocities in China.
A local signs a petition calling for an end to state-sanctioned organ harvesting in China
Eastwood has a large Korean population in addition to Chinese. Although some of them don't speak English, they gestured their support by nodding to practitioners, sighing or nodding their heads as they passed the display. Many signed the petition.
Peter and Jane, a young Korean couple, were shocked to learn about the persecution and wanted to learn more.
Sophie, a Falun Gong practitioner, told them: “Falun Gong practitioners strive to be better people by adhering to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. However, in China, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) doesn't allow people to have their own beliefs. Communism is anti-humanitarian and atheistic. The CCP illegally arrests practitioners for the sole purpose of forcing them to abandon their beliefs. The means of torture and oppression include forced organ harvesting.”
Jane had tears in her eyes. Peter took some informational materials and said they would help collect signatures among their friends and family. Before saying goodbye, Peter said to Sophie: “You have done a good thing!”
A Chinese Australian remarked, “We all know about this,” as he signed the petition to call for an end of organ harvesting. A Filipino who works at a nearby Chinese supermarket said that she often tells her customers,“Go and learn the facts from Falun Gong practitioners!”
A young Australian woman signed the petition and said that she would spread the words via social media. She said she hoped to do what she could to end the persecution soon.
“The persecution is still going on in China,” said Grace with tears. She just managed to leave China a few weeks ago.
She said, “I'm joining this event, the third one since I arrived in Australia, because I hope more people can know the facts. Right before I left China, a couple was arrested. The environments inside and outside of China are very different. The intangible pressure in China is humongous.”
The August 30 “Great Wall of Truth” was the first event in which Mimi participated in a signature drive. She started practicing Falun Gong five years ago and arrived in Sydney not long ago.
A shy high school sophomore, she initially felt nervous approaching pedestrians for signatures. She was happy to find out that many locals were supportive after getting 12 signatures.