(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners introduced Falun Gong and collected signatures calling for an end to the persecution in China during “City to Surf,” an popular non-competitive running event in Sydney on August 9, 2015.
The Falun Gong exercise demonstration performed along the marathon route drew attention from runners and spectators. Some runners waved or gave thumbs up to practitioners as they passed by. Many people took flyers and signed a petition calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Falun Gong practitioners in Sydney demonstrate the exercises on the route of the “City to Surf” Marathon.
Some marathon runners stopped to watch the Falun Gong exercise demonstration, take pictures, and learn some of the movements.
A marathon runner expresses support for Falun Gong.
Marathon runners sign a petition calling for an end to the CCP's organ harvesting from living practitioners in China.
This annual 14-kilometer “fun run” attracts more than 80,000 participants each year. The majority are amateur runners and are of all ages and backgrounds. The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, was among them.
Local police approved Falun Gong practitioners' application for ground use without limitation on the number of participants, because Falun Gong was considered part of the event. The police officers supported the group's effort to promote wellbeing and to end the persecution.
Many runners and spectators tried out the Falun Gong exercises. Several Chinese people who stopped to learn more decided to take a stance against the persecution by renouncing their memberships in Chinese Communist Party organizations.
