Melbourne, Australia: Rally and March Protest the Chinese Communist Regime’s 26-Year-Long Persecution

(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held a rally and march in the center of Melbourne on July 12, 2025, calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 26-year-long persecution of the spiritual practice.

Falun Gong practitioners march in Melbourne on July 12, 2025, calling to end the persecution in China.

After the march reached its destination, the State Library of Victoria, a rally was held to commemorate 26 years of protesting the CCP’s persecution. The rally also served to expose the CCP’s latest transnational suppression campaigns and express support for the 449 million Chinese people who have quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations.

Rally in front of the State Library of Victoria on July 12, 2025Signature collection calling to end the persecution

Member of Victorian Parliament: Falun Gong Group’s Perseverance and Courage Admirable

Chris Crewther, Liberal Party Whip in the Victorian Parliament

Chris Crewther, the Liberal Party Whip in the Victorian Parliament, wrote in an email to a practitioner, “As a Liberal and as a human being, I firmly believe that freedom of belief, conscience, speech, association and peaceful practice are fundamental rights that cannot be deprived of anyone.”

He stated that the persecution of the Falun Gong in China has been well documented, including arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, forced labor, organ harvesting, and forced brainwashing, which are serious violations of human rights and international norms. Equally shocking are reports of China’s continued repression of Uyghurs, Christians, Tibetans, and other groups, who are still suffering under authoritarian repression.

“As a member of Parliament, I stand firmly with all groups fighting for truth, dignity and freedom. I commend you for your courage to speak for yourself and admire you for bringing these atrocities to light. Your perseverance and refusal to be forced into silence are truly admirable,” MP Crewther wrote.

Shadow Minister for the Environment: Protesting the Persecution Becomes a Global Focus

Letter from Brad Rowswell, Victorian Member of Parliament

Brad Rowswell, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Shadow Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Service Innovation in the Victorian Parliament, stated in his letter, “Over the past quarter century, this anniversary has become a solemn date for many around the world. It represents not only a reflection on individual suffering, but also a broader moment to consider the enduring importance of freedom of belief, civil dignity, and peaceful expression.

“The history of Falun Gong, its deep spiritual foundations, and the community’s resilience in the face of sustained adversity are well documented in international human rights literature and remain a focus of serious consideration in global forums.

“As Australians, we place immense value on the freedoms that underpin our liberal democracy. Freedom should never be an abstract ideal but a principle that shapes our way of life. The recent unanimous passing of the Falun Gong Protection Act (H.R. 1540) by the United States Congress reflects a growing recognition among democratic nations that protecting these rights is both a moral imperative and a shared responsibility.

“As a representative in Victoria’s Parliament, I remain committed to the principles of freedom of conscience and the right of all communities to practice their beliefs peacefully and without fear.”

Chairman of the Victorian Branch of the Vietnamese Community of Australia: Helping Falun Gong as Much as I Can

Duy Quang Nguyen, Chairman of the Victorian Branch of the Vietnamese Community of Australia

Duy Quang Nguyen, Chairman of the Victorian Branch of the Vietnamese Community of Australia, delivered a speech at the rally.

“I have been doing my best to support the Falun Gong group. They are our very good friends,” he stated.

As a person who escaped a communist regime, Nguyen said that he was well aware of the evil nature of the CCP and hoped that China would become a free country like Australia in the future. “Only with freedom can we believe in religion, enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of election,” he said.

“Now is the time, the best time for us to unite and support each other,” Mr. Nguyen concluded.

Melbourne Democratic Alliance Secretary-General: The CCP’s Transnational Repression Is State Terrorism

Hu Zhongnan, Secretary-General of the Melbourne Democratic Alliance of Chinese Democracy Movement, addresses the rally.

Hu Zhongnan, Secretary-General of the Melbourne Democratic Alliance of Chinese Democracy Movement, said that the CCP’s persecution “had crossed borders and reached countries around the world.

“The CCP uses embassies, consulates, United Front operatives, and spy networks to monitor, intimidate, and harass Falun Gong practitioners abroad. This is transnational repression,” he said.

Mr. Hu stressed that even more heartbreaking is that the CCP extends its threats to practitioners’ family members in China. “This is emotional blackmail at the level of state terrorism,” he said. “The CCP’s transnational repression is a direct attack on international norms and human conscience.”

He called on the international community to take the following three actions:

“First, all governments must legislate to stop the CCP’s transnational repression and protect victims abroad.

“Second, international human rights organizations must investigate and publicly denounce the CCP’s targeting of family members.

“Third, people around the world must stand up, speak out, and defend freedom of belief against tyranny,” he said.

Former Vice Chair of Democratic Labor Party: Paying Tribute to Falun Dafa Group

Gerard Flood, former vice chair of the Democratic Labor Party of Victoria, addresses the rally.

Gerard Flood, former vice chair of the Democratic Labor Party of Victoria, called on Australia to take a strong stand to stop the CCP’s crimes against humanity. He said that the CCP kills innocent people in its large-scale state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting.

“I call on all of Australia’s civil society to raise their voices for the fall of the CCP and for the relief of the CCP’s persecution, and for developing our resources of willfulness to move the world forward for peace and freedom,” he said.

He said that Australia and Melbourne are blessed to have witnessed the Falun Dafa principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. “The virtues are the necessary foundations for any good work that we might try and do. So I want to pay tribute to the elegance and the willfulness of Falun Dafa to show the flag for freedom and the relief of persecution. Without your good work, it is very difficult to move politics forward,” he said.

Human Rights Activist: Condemning the CCP’s Forced Organ Harvesting

Andrew Bush, an Australian human rights activist, former Justice of the Peace, and senior member of the Liberal Party, addresses the rally.

Andrew Bush, an Australian human rights activist, former Justice of the Peace, and senior member of the Liberal Party, condemned the CCP’s forced organ harvesting.

He cited the verdict issued by the independent People’s Tribunal chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice KC of the United Kingdom and said that in China, a large number of Falun Gong practitioners have been persecuted, imprisoned, and eventually killed by organ harvesting for their belief in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

He said that the CCP is committing such crimes against humanity every day, seriously violating international law, but it has not been sanctioned so far.

He hopes that Australian society will recognize the CCP’s infiltration and its threat to freedom and democracy. He called on the Australian government to pass legislation regarding organ transplant tourism to prohibit Australians from going to China for illegal organ transplants.

He called on all sectors of society to stop being silent, stand up bravely, speak for the Falun Gong group, and defend human rights and justice.

Entrepreneur: I Support Falun Gong

Falun Dafa practitioners’ efforts to raise awareness of the persecution and call to stop the brutalities touched many people and won the admiration of passers-by.

Giancarlo, owner of a company

Giancarlo, a company owner who lives on the Mornington Peninsula, said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are awe-inspiring and of great significance. They are very important to society and the community.”

He said that he had signed the Falun Gong petitions, hoping to do his part to stop the CCP’s persecution of innocent and kind people.

Evan was in Melbourne to attend a wedding that day and was fortunate to encounter the march. He expressed his full support for the actions of Falun Gong practitioners.

“I understand what communism is and that the Chinese are oppressed. It is really outrageous and heartbreaking to learn that the CCP even harvests organs from living people,” he said. “The CCP is expanding its influence to Western society and using money and power to spread lies and propaganda. I am willing to support you to the best of my ability.”

Evan said that he would ask his relatives and friends at the wedding to sign the online petition calling to stop the CCP’s forced organ harvesting.