(Clearwisdom.net) The annual "Day of Peace" celebration was held at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, Australia on March 17, 2004. Organizers of this event had strongly hoped Falun Gong practitioners would again come to give a dance performance in Tang Dynasty costumes. (The dance ends with Falun Gong practitioners in bright Tang Dynasty costumes unfolding a colorful banner saying "Falun Dafa Is Great.") Falun Dafa practitioners happily accepted their invitation.
It was a warm sunny day. The campus looked fresh with rain from the night before. Falun Dafa practitioners set up an information desk and displayed photos of Falun Dafa activities around the world. They also told the university faculty and students about the persecution of Falun Gong in China by Jiang's group.
The campus was busy around noon. Faculty, staff and students came to join the celebration activities. Falun Gong practitioners took this opportunity to clarify the truth about Falun Gong to them, collect signatures and expose the cruel persecution of Falun Gong by Jiang's group. Many people signed their name. They said freedom of belief is a basic human right, and that people should not be persecuted for their beliefs, especially people who follow such great principles as, "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance." They hoped the UN Human Rights Commission and all peace-loving people would work together to stop the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Falun Gong practitioners' dance performance received waves of warm applause. Several media interviewed the dancers after their performance.
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| Signature Collection | Dancing Performance | Media Interview |
Falun Gong practitioners also told people about the "Petals of Peace" postcard campaign. Postcards would be sent to the Chair of the 60th UN Convention on Human Rights in Geneva to urge the UN Human Rights organizations to pay attention to human rights in China and to help stop the persecution of Falun Gong.
The following are quotes from what people wrote on postcards:
"I hope the UN will help stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Everyone should have the freedom of belief."
"Let's work together to protect basic human rights and freedom of belief."
"I sincerely hope children of Falun Gong practitioners won't suffer any more. I hope they will get together with their parents soon."
"Officials of the United Nations, please open your hearts, listen to children's calls, and take your responsibility for justice. Stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China!"
"My heart is crying on seeing the persecution of Falun Gong in China. I can't believe such brutal torture still exists in China in the 21st century. We can't bear it!"
