(Clearwisdom.net) The Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance International Art Exhibition was held in the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament Building in central Sydney from March 6 to March 7, 2012. A number of Members of Parliament attended the opening ceremony and toured the exhibition. They were impressed by the quality of the artwork and deeply moved by the spiritual meaning.
Greens Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council David Shoebridge said that all people should have freedom of belief. He called for all people to respect freedom of belief, and he strongly recommended the Parliament Building as the location of the art exhibition. MP Shoebridge sincerely hoped that all Members of Parliament would visit the exhibition.
|
|
Greens member of the New South Wales Legislative Council and Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham hosted the opening ceremony in the Macquarie Room of the NSW Parliament Building. It was the second time that Ms. Barham and her assistant attended the art exhibition. She told a reporter that she was moved by every work of art in the exhibition. She hoped that the art exhibition would introduce the benefits of Falun Dafa and the importance of human rights to more people in the political arena and to people in all circles. MP Barham felt that it was significant for the exhibition to be held in the Parliament Building.
Ryan Park, Labor Member for Keira, said that the art exhibition sent a powerful message. He added that he thought that every politician should visit the exhibition. He had heard about the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong, and he stated that he wouldn't stand by any violent persecution of freedom of speech in any part of the world, at any time.
|
|
Greens Member Jamie Parker of Balmain attended the opening ceremony and said that he was impressed with two things: One was the high quality of the beautiful artworks; the other was the issue of respecting human rights, especially as concerns the suffering of Falun Gong practitioners in China. He felt that it was was very important to learn about these issues.
Jonathan O'Dea, Liberal Member from Davidson, was very happy that he came to the exhibition. He said that the artwork was very powerful and moving. He saw from the persecution-themed artwork what was beyond it – the peaceful side of something very profound. He felt that it wasn't just an exhibition of art, and he thought it very important for the exhibition to be held in the Parliament Building. MP O'Dea said that freedom of speech is a universal value of democracy and freedom. He has been concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong, which was the reason that he came to see the art exhibition.
Among the other guests who attended the opening ceremony were Liberal Members Geoff Lee, Charles Camenzuli and David Clark, and human rights activist Stephen Sim.
Falun Gong practitioner Yue Changzhi recounted the torture she experienced in a jail in Beijing. She told how at one point, she lost consciousness from the torture. Her back was injured. Nonetheless, Ms. Yue said that torture couldn't change her heart. She told everyone from the bottom of her heart, “Falun Dafa is great! The persecution can't change my belief. I sincerely hope that everyone will learn more about Falun Dafa.”
