(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from various parts of Australia, including Queensland, Western Australia, and the southern district in Sydney, gathered at the plaza next to the Customs House building in downtown Sydney on October 11, 2025, and held activities to tell people the amazing benefits of the spiritual practice. They also told residents and tourists about the ongoing persecution in China.
Practitioners held an event next to Customs House in downtown Sydney on October 11, 2025.
Practitioners told passersby about the ongoing persecution in China.
The Customs House is a main transport hub and public space in Sydney. Not only can one admire the harbor view, but people can also access various forms of transportation, such as cruise ships, light rail, trains, and buses, in the Circular Quay area where it is located. It is also the gateway to the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge, and other popular tourist spots; therefore, there is a constant stream of tourists from all over the world.
The activities at the Customs House were part of a series of activities held for three days during the 2025 Australia Falun Dafa Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference. People signed the petition to call for an end to the atrocities after learning the facts about the persecution. They expressed support for practitioners’ efforts as they peacefully protested the unjust treatment.
An Awareness Campaign
Sean Tooker, a former field officer for Parks Wildlife, expressed admiration and respect for Falun Dafa practitioners’ peaceful protest of the persecution in China.
Sean Tooker, former field officer for Parks Wildlife, said, “I’m shocked and dismayed that this [persecution] continues.
“This is suppression, torture, indoctrination targeted at a group of people. I totally support you.
“Organ harvesting doesn’t get much press. I used to work in Chatswood, and I know there’s a large Chinese community there, and of course, the Falun Dafa community was there. So, when I used to get off the train, they were doing very much what I see here today. Raising awareness, and that’s where I first got the information about that, so I thought it was quite distressing.
“Without having further reinforcement and that sort of awareness, it is hard to communicate and get to understand those sorts of issues that are actually important for people from other countries, and for expatriates from China.
“Attention just disappeared, and we all forgot about it. You [Falun Dafa practitioners] are still an active part of that campaign to stop it. I witnessed this in Sydney. I’ve been away for several years now, and I’m back, and it’s still a campaign by Falun Dafa practitioners. Obviously, it is very, very real.
“Without the sort of grassroots campaign and awareness raised by people like yourself, we will never stop it. So, yes, I fully support it.”
Sean said before he left, “I’ve taken some information today. So I will take it with me, and I’ll pass on the story, and I’ll pass on anything I can to somebody else who perhaps is not aware of it. The organ harvesting situation in China is actually real, a real threat for a lot of people.”
Dean Wyn (first on left) tried the second exercise – the Falun Standing Stance.
Dean Wyn, a photographer, said, “They [practitioners] are very peaceful, and these are good beliefs. Absolutely, the world definitely needs Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance.”
Referring to the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa, he said, “It’s horrible what they are doing. Everybody is meant to care for everyone. Trying to take advantage of people for your own desires is completely wrong. There are enough problems without organized crimes.”
Falun Dafa Is Good
Max Stekeloron
Max Stekeloron, who has lived in Sydney for 18 years, said his mother practices Falun Dafa. “She discovered it somewhere in Europe, I forget whether it was Germany or Poland. I tried the exercises, read part of the books, and saw Shen Yun.
“I’ve seen my mom practicing, waking up super early, doing it multiple times a day. I think the practice has definitely been calming, as my mom was anxious and pretty stressed with her job and life in general. She was trying to change, and she reflected a lot on herself. I think she tried several things, like meditation, and that really appealed to her. She saw the physical and spiritual benefits of Falun Dafa; otherwise, she wouldn’t be doing it.
“Practitioners in mainland China are being persecuted for practicing what they love. That’s wrong for sure! We all know that there isn’t much freedom of expression over there. Outside of mainland China, you can express what you want, but over there it’s dangerous!
“Then there’s the big aspect of organ harvesting. They extract the vital organs from healthy people and sell them on the black market for hundreds of thousands of dollars - it’s just very, very wrong! Not just this, they have prison camps for prisoners of conscience, not just Falun Dafa practitioners. It’s sad that politicians all over the world know about it and don’t speak up and do anything about it because they are concerned that it wouldn't be good for their economy.
“So this form of movement, without any violence, protesting like Falun Dafa is doing, and saying out loud what is going on, is expressed peacefully.
“There are millions of people practicing, and I believe that people should be able to do what they want to do! If you want to do some form of meditation and have a belief in whatever you want in this life, I believe the practice is a good thing. Every practitioner I’ve met is super nice. The practice is attracting a lot of smart and caring individuals all over the world - super nice to see!”
I Really Appreciate What You Are Doing
Practitioners also formed an image of the Falun emblem at Jubilee Park in central Sydney that day. James Gale, a young man who lives in Sydney, was impressed by the activity: “I think it’s really beautiful to see people coming together. I think it’s a sign of unity. It’s also pretty impressive that everyone would come out and do it at the exact same time on a scorching hot day and not complain—everyone seems to be happy to do it. It’s really impressive.”
James Gale was impressed by practitioners gathering to form a giant Falun emblem.
When he learned that Falun Dafa’s teachings are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, he said, “I think it’s something our society today is lacking. I think that it’s important that everybody be as honest as they can.”
The day before, practitioners held a large-scale group exercise at Martin Place and a grand parade in the heart of Sydney. The activities caught the attention of many local residents as well as tourists.
On October 11, students Tavian Lima (center) and Muhhamad Abdul Aziz took a photo of practitioners in the parade in downtown Sydney.
Tavian Lima, a year 12 student, said, “When I was coming out of the train station, I saw a lot of people, so I wanted to figure out what was going on, and the yellow stands out. It didn’t look like a protest—it was really peaceful. I learned that people don’t have freedom of speech, and that this [parade] is very good, and it is going to open up a lot of pathways, and it is going to be very peaceful for people. I think the principles [Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance] are good. I think truthfulness is a big principle that everyone needs to learn. I think everyone should be nice to each other.”
His friend Muhhamad Abdul Aziz from Pakistan said, “I really appreciate what everyone is doing here. It represents unity and trying to bring freedom to everyone. It’s very inspirational. I just want to say thank you to everyone who came and participated. It means a lot to me as an Australian citizen.”
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