Canberra, Australia: Events Raise Awareness of the Persecution in China

(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held a series of activities in Canberra, Australia, from November 21 to 23, 2022. The events coincided with the last session of the federal Parliament for the year. Practitioners called on the Australian Government to pay attention and help stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Practicing the Falun Gong exercises in front of the Parliament building in Canberra, Australia on November 21-23, 2022

Falun Gong practitioners held a series of activities over the three days, including a rally and exercise demonstration in front of the Parliament House. They visited government departments and non-governmental organizations, displayed truth-clarification banners along the main streets of the city and told passersby about the persecution. They also visited Members of Parliament and held seminars exposing state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting in China.

Holding banners and demonstrating the exercises along the roads near the Parliament building during rush hour

Passersby pause to learn about Falun Gong

Practitioners remained peaceful and disciplined throughout the activities, which left a deep impression on the people passing by. The wind was very strong on November 21, but practitioners continued their activities despite the harsh weather. Starting from 7am, practitioners held banners on the main road and intersection leading to the Parliament building. 

Protesting persecution in China in front of the Chinese Embassy 

Let's Stop the Persecution Together

Shain Weston

Shain Weston watched Falun Gong’s peaceful protests, and he said he was amazed and was in admiration of the unique discipline Falun Gong practitioners displayed. 

“Falun Gong practitioners can quickly adjust to the group meditation after experiencing sudden changes in the weather in late spring and early summer. This is remarkable and disciplined,” he said.

Weston was impressed by the perseverance of Falun Gong practitioners. Despite the harsh persecution in China, they still insist on their righteous belief. He found this remarkable. He called on the Australian Government to support and help the public learn about what is happening in China, to help stop the persecution together.

August Shroom (wearing the black T-shirt) learning the Falun Gong exercises

August Shroom, a student studying in Canberra, had been passing by and was drawn over by the peaceful scene. He joined the practitioners and sat with them to express his support.

Shroom said to a practitioner, “I have been paying attention to the CCP and appreciate this protest. I agree with you and walk with you.”

A practitioner showed Shroom how to do the Falun Gong exercises. Shroom said that he felt relaxed and connected to positive energy. He said he would share the experience with others and learn more about Falun Gong.

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is a Great Principle That We Must Follow

Kailyn Stringer

Kailyn Stringer said, “It’s peaceful and beautiful. The yellow clothes are beautiful, because yellow represents joy and love.”

She added, “The values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance advocated by Falun Gong are qualities we should all possess as human beings, and they are the great principles we must follow.”

“Unfortunately, we are deceived and controlled by those in power at the top [the CCP], causing good people to live miserable lives. It is horrifying. We need to unite and work together to end the persecution that is happening in China.”

“Persecution should be stopped”

Myra, a Filipino living in Melbourne, had traveled to Canberra with her family. She was drawn to the peaceful protest in front of Parliament.

She said that Falun Gong practitioners sat there, hoping that people would learn about and help stop the persecution. She was moved by what they were striving for. 

“It’s cold now. I don’t know how long they have been sitting there. They are doing very well,” she said. She said she hopes that more people can hear the voices of Falun Gong practitioners.

Myra said that everyone should follow the values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, “Although different people have different beliefs, the ultimate goal is the same.”

Myra was appalled when she heard that the CCP persecuted Falun Gong practitioners and harvested their organs. She said that the persecution should be stopped, because every life is precious.

CCP is Opposed to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Canberra resident Alex stopped and talked with a practitioner about the persecution. He said that he knew about Falun Gong. “The Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance advocated by Falun Gong are exactly the opposite of the CCP.”

Alex expressed his opposition to and condemned the CCP’s live organ harvesting.

Alison Gimesy said that she was sad when she heard that Falun Gong practitioners were persecuted in China, “We need to let more people know about this persecution and stop it.”

She was touched by how steadfast the practitioners were after seeing them sit there for a long time in the strong wind. “I couldn’t sit still for that long,” she said. “They do it, and it is dedication.”

Background: What Is Falun Dafa and Why is the CCP persecuting it?

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings, which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and have learned the five exercises, have experienced improved health and well-being.

Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline’s growing popularity as a threat to the CCP’s atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, he issued an order to eradicate the practice.

Under Jiang’s personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.

Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 23 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. Countless practitioners have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.

There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply China’s organ transplant industry.