(Minghui.org) To pay homage to the many practitioners who have died as a result of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution, Falun Gong practitioners across the world have held a variety of events to mark 20 years since the brutal persecution began. Twenty years ago, on July 20, 1999, Jiang Zemin, former head of the communist regime, launched the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Falun Gong is a peaceful mind-body cultivation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

The Minghui website has confirmed the deaths of over four thousand Falun Gong practitioners due to the persecution over the past 20 years. The actual number is suspected to be much higher, but due to the CCP's information blockade, it is difficult to get information out of China. Many more practitioners have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith. There is concrete evidence that the CCP is an active participant in the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are killed on demand to supply the organ transplant industry.

Activities in Perth, Western Australia

Practitioners from Western Australia held activities in Perth, July 19 - 20, 2019, to raise awareness about the 20-year persecution in China.

Falun Gong practitioners commemorate fellow practitioners who died during the CCP’s persecution.A passerby signs a petition calling on the Australian government to help stop the persecution.Practitioners talk to people about Falun Gong and the persecution.Several people signed the petition calling on the Australian government to help stop the persecution.

The practitioners held an event at St. George Terrace on July 19, Friday, to clarify the truth to people who work in the government and large companies. Australia is currently in the middle of the rainy season. Despite the rain, practitioners held their activities for nearly 12 hours, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Roberts, who works in a nearby hospital, stopped to express her admiration for Falun Gong practitioners' perseverance in peacefully protesting the persecution over the past 20 years. She said that she'd heard about the CCP’s live organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners last year.

Ms. Roberts remarked, “The organ harvesting is really shameful.” She also hoped that everyone can work together to stop the persecution, “If we don't do anything, we will regret it one day. We must oppose the CCP's forceful harvesting of human organs, wherever we are.”

July 20 was a Saturday, and the streets were crowded. Practitioners went to an area near a popular shopping center. At noon, several practitioners sat holding wreaths to mourn those practitioners died in the CCP’s persecution.

The solemn scene drew many passers-by. They paused and asked questions about the event. Many signed a petition to call on the Australian government to urge the CCP to stop the persecution. Lynette Rose told practitioners that she would post about the CCP’s live organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners on her Twitter account.

A young couple asked a practitioner several questions about Falun Gong and the persecution.

Raising Awareness in Queensland, Australia

Falun Gong practitioners held an event in Market Square, Brisbane on July 20, 2019 to raise awareness about the 20-year-long persecution. They placed posters along Market Square and answered people's questions.

Falun Gong practitioners placed informational posters along Market Square, Brisbane, Australia on July 20, 2019.Several people stopped to read the posters.Amanda talks with passers-by about Falun Gong and the persecution.

As a Chinese woman walked by the posters she told a practitioner, “Falun Gong is awesome! Under such great pressure, you are doing so well!” The practitioner asked her if she had withdrawn from the CCP and its affiliated organizations.

She said that she was retired and that she always paid close attention to Falun Gong. She was well aware of the evil nature of the CCP. Before she left, she encouraged practitioners to do more large-scale activities to let more people know the truth.

Relevant article in Chinese: Queesland, Australia.