(Minghui.org) May 13, 2023, was a sunny day of celebration. On this day 31 years ago, Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, introduced Falun Dafa to the public. The blessings of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance have been enjoyed by millions around the world ever since.
To celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and Master’s birthday, practitioners in Melbourne held a parade and a rally and gave performances to share their joy and the message of how wonderful Falun Dafa is.
The parade was led by the Tian Guo Marching Band. Their music and songs were rousing and uplifting and attracted many people to stop and watch. The colorful costumes, performances, and messages on the banners spread peace and energy. People along the route took photos and videos.
Practitioners paraded through the central business district to celebrate the 31st Anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction. Many people stopped to watch.
The parade started at Queen Victoria Gardens, wound through the busiest commercial districts in the city and Chinatown, and ended at the State Library of Victoria. At the rally, the guests made speeches to show their support, and practitioners gave performances to show how wonderful Falun Dafa is.
Practitioners held a rally in front of the State Library of Victoria. The guests made speeches and practitioners performed.
Hope More People Can Hear About Falun Dafa
Rebel Jom, a representative of the Victorian Branch of the Falun Dafa Association Australia, spoke at the rally.
Rebel Jom, the representative of the Victorian Branch of the Falun Dafa Association Australia, said, “World Falun Dafa Day is a celebration of the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—values distilled through 5,000 years of ancient Chinese civilization.
“I think everyone here today that has experienced the practice has a wonderful story to tell about how they have benefited from Falun Dafa. Many have experienced incredible health benefits, and their illnesses—including very serious ones—have disappeared. Most of them have become healthier, both physically and mentally. Some have also shared that their relationships with their family members or work colleagues have improved. They also became calmer and more focused; better parents, spouses, neighbors, and employees; and generally more selfless members of society.
“In some people’s eyes, Falun Gong is merely seen as a political group, an anti-CCP group. As a matter of fact, it’s not. Falun Dafa is in fact a beautiful and peaceful meditation practice and the five exercises you just saw should be the real image of Falun Gong. That’s the image we hope you will leave with today.”
She hoped that people would learn more about Falun Dafa.
Senator: Congratulations to Falun Dafa Practitioners for Their Contribution to Australia
Senator Janet Rice spoke at the rally.
Senator Janet Rice said, “I am very pleased to be with the Falun Gong celebrating this World Falun Dafa Day. I want to congratulate the Falun Dafa practitioners for their contributions to Australia and for their contributions to bridge the multicultural fabric that we have here in Australia.
“I also want...to add my voice for justice for the Falun Gong practitioners in China because the reality is, if you were a Falun Gong practitioner in China, you would be persecuted. We know the horrific and very real story in China.
“The Falun Gong practitioners in China over the last two decades, of being killed for their beliefs and the process of all the organ transplants, organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners has been shown to be real. The people here are not making it up—there is very good evidence.
“I am here as a Green’s senator. The Green’s speak up for everybody, no matter who they are, no matter where they are in the world, speaking out on oppression and human rights that we should be working for justice in every way we can. So whether it is Falun Gong practitioners in China, whether it is people working with democracy in China, we need to be speaking out on their behalf, because every time somebody is being oppressed around the world, it impacts us. We are all connected, our common humanity connects us all, and there is action that we can take as Australians working for justice and working for freedom and working for the human rights of everyone today, in particular, the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners. So thank you for being here today celebrating World Falun Dafa Day. I look forward to continuing to work with you in the future.”
Shadow Treasurer: Stand in Solidarity with Falun Dafa Adherents
Brad Rowswell MP, Shadow Treasurer of Victoria State, sent a letter for the occasion.
Brad Rowswell MP, Shadow Treasurer of Victoria State, sent a letter of support in honor of the occasion. He wrote, “I write to stand in solidarity with the persecuted adherents of Falun Dafa.
“It is widely known that Falun Dafa adherents have been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment, and the complete divestment of basic human rights and civic agency.
“All this, for no other reason than the desire to peacefully live out the tenets of their religion.”
“The amelioration of their plight is a responsibility shared in common by national Governments across the globe. Continued inaction is a stark testimony to how little humanity has learned from the horrors of 20th-century genocidal fascism.”
Former Deputy Chairman of Democratic Labor Party Victoria: Everybody Needs to Read the Pamphlet “What Is Falun Gong”
Gerard Flood, former deputy chairman of the Democratic Labor Party Victoria, at the rally
Gerard Flood, former deputy chairman of the Democratic Labor Party Victoria, said that everybody needed to read the pamphlet “What is Falun Gong?” and that it was rare to see such important media coverage nowadays. He suggested that everyone read it carefully.
He thought that World Falun Dafa Day was a good opportunity to commemorate the beautiful things Falun Dafa represents and that the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance were closely aligned with traditional Western values. He said that the search for happiness, the release from pain, and the correction of mistakes were inseparable from understanding and acknowledging the truth in civilized society.
He praised Falun Dafa practitioners for their spreading and pursuit of the truth for so many years and their unparalleled contributions to Australia and the whole world.
He was very honored to be invited to the World Falun Dafa Day celebration and thanked practitioners for their sacrifice and contributions to the happiness of humankind.
Supporting Falun Dafa Is Supporting the Future of China
Ruan Jie, chief editor of the Tiananmen Times
Ruan Jie, the chief editor of the Tiananmen Times, made a speech in Chinese and English. He asked Chinese outside of China to learn about Falun Dafa and support it.
He understood that many people didn’t realize the significance of Falun Dafa’s appearance in China. “The Communist Party destroyed the traditional Chinese culture and the morality and conscience of the entire society,” he said. “The appearance of Falun Dafa lets Chinese society return to the traditional culture founded on benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, and faith.”
He called on Chinese people to support Falun Dafa because he believed that supporting Falun Dafa was supporting the future of China. He hoped Chinese people withdraw from the CCP and its affiliated organizations, criticize the CCP., and dissolve the CCP.
He said that Falun Dafa is doing a great thing and we should thank and support practitioners.
Helping Chinese People Break from Communism
Gao Jian, the chief Supervisor of the Melbourne Democratic League, addressed the rally.
Gao Jian, the chief Supervisor of the Melbourne Democratic League, said at the rally, “Falun Dafa practitioners promote ‘three withdrawals’ and help Chinese people find the courage to break from communism’s evil spirit and return to their original selves. I admire practitioners’ courage and their unyielding fighting spirit.
“Many practitioners sacrificed their lives due to their belief. We clarify the truth to let people know just how evil the CCP is.”
Gao Jian has been supporting Falun Dafa practitioners over the last two decades. He expressed his thanks to and respect for the practitioners again: “Your courage and strong belief have moved me and inspired me.” He said, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are always with us.”
Former State MP: Practitioners Make a Huge Positive Contribution to the Nation and to the World
Bernie Finn, former State MP, spoke at the rally.
Bernie Finn, a former State MP, said in his speech, “I have been here on a number of occasions over a number of years now, and I am so very proud to be involved in the movement, not necessarily as a practitioner but certainly in a supportive way. It’s great to be here. I appreciate everything that you do to make Australia a better place. I appreciate everything that you do to make the world a better place, and that is something perhaps you don’t take into consideration as often as you should. But you are making a huge positive contribution to the nation and to the world.
“There is no one else we have to stand up and we have to fight for what is right. And I see Falun Gong practitioners here in Australia or in China, wherever they may be, you are the ones who are fighting for what is right, and we as Australians must back you, we have an obligation to back you, to do what is right.
“I want to say thank you so much for the contribution that you continue to make. I say long may you make that contribution and may you have freedom, may you prosper in China, and may you let us hope that the Chinese people receive freedom in their country before very long because they surely deserve it. So I say to you, ‘Well done, keep fighting… I am with you, always with you, 100%.’ Thank you.”
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