(Minghui.org) Armidale is a city situated in the Northern Tablelands in New South Wales. It is home to several national parks and the University of New England. The Armidale Markets in the Mall are held on Beardy Street on the last Sunday of every month. Local Falun Gong practitioners reserved a table at the market on March 28, 2021, to promote the health benefits of the practice and raise awareness of the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. 

Many of the local residents were shocked and outraged to learn how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tortures practitioners who refuse to renounce their faith, and how the regime harvests organs from practitioners while they are still alive. Many people signed a petition calling for an end to the persecution and the crimes against humanity. 

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises at the Armidale Markets in the Mall on March 28, 2021.

Practitioners talk to people about the persecution of Falun Gong in China at the Armidale Markets in the Mall on March 28, 2021.

Collecting signatures on a petition calling to end the ongoing persecution in China 

Please Break the Silence and Continue to Spread the Truth

Annie Porter 

Annie Porter stopped at the Falun Gong table to talk to practitioners. She said that she was shocked, worried and angry when she heard that the CCP harvests organs from living practitioners who are incarcerated in China for their faith. Annie is a nurse and started to research the issue because Australia set up a registration system for organ donors a few years ago. “I believe it is very important to protect [the organ donors] no matter which country they live in,” she said. “It’s vital to expose the crimes [taking place in China]. We can openly discuss the crime of organ harvesting here. You are doing great. Please break the silence and continue to spread the truth. This issue shouldn’t be tabooed or discriminated against.” 

Human Rights Belong to Everyone

Matthew Boyle

After discussing the persecution in China with the practitioners, Matthew Boyle was in shock. “I have a hard time understanding how such crimes can take place. I mean, human rights belong to everyone, including people in China. I hope Falun Gong practitioners get the support they need to solve the problem. I also hope that in the not too distant future things will turn around,” he said. 

“Practicing Falun Gong is a basic human right. The practitioners only ask for a basic right that everyone should enjoy,” he said. 

What You Are Doing Now Is the Best Thing

Amelia Cameron

On the last Sunday in February, university student Amelia Cameron told a practitioner that both she and her older brother knew about the atrocities of live organ harvesting in China and that it is a terrible crime. “The CCP pandemic (COVID-19) woke us up, and we have a clearer understanding of the evil nature of the CCP. A person shouldn’t hurt another, no matter what he believes,” she said. 

Amelia believes that people will benefit from following the principles of Falun Gong: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She feels that people should treat each other with respect and care. “I think what you are doing now is the best thing,” she told practitioners. 

Shame on a Government that Violates Human Rights

A Ph.D. student at the University of New England came to the practitioners’ table on February 28 because he was curious about the CCP’s organ harvesting crime. “I have heard before that the CCP harvests organs from Falun Gong practitioners. I learned more about it today and feel terrible. Shame on the government that violates human rights. I believe Falun Gong is a good cultivation practice. If people have their own belief and improve their health with meditation, it’s great and should be allowed,” he said. 

His sister had a table nearby. When she found out about the forced organ harvesting, she came to the practitioners’ table and signed the petition to support the practitioners’ effort. 

International Society is Not Doing Enough When It Comes to Human Rights

Mohammed Hassib, a local resident, remarked, “The CCP violates human rights when it persecutes religious belief and ethnic minorities.” He believes that international society hasn’t done enough when it comes to human rights. 

“[The crime of organ harvesting] is extremely shocking to me. Allowing this crime to continue reflects that the UN Security Council has not done much about it. In China, people need to be more aware of their human rights and freedom. Everyone should have his own belief and freedom,” he said.