(Minghui.org) Practitioners in Melbourne, Australia, held a grand parade and rally on May 11, 2024 to celebrate the 25^thanniversary of World Falun Dafa (May 13) and the 32^nd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public, as well as the birthday of Falun Dafa’s founder, Master Li Hongzhi.

The parade departed from Queen Victoria Gardens at noon, led by the Tian Guo Marching Band. The peaceful and colorful parade consisted of several sections composed of Falun Dafa practitioners of different ethnic groups and different ages. It went through the main streets, crowded business districts, and Chinatown. Many people stopped and watched, and many videotaped the parade. 

The parade ended at the State Library of Victoria, where a rally followed. A number of speakers praised Falun Dafa practitioners’ contribution to the community. Practitioners also gave performances to celebrate Master Li’s birthday, and sent their best wishes to Master. 

Dafa practitioners in Melbourne, Australia held a grand parade and rally on May 11, 2024 to celebrate the 25^thanniversary of World Falun Dafa Day and the birthday of Falun Dafa’s founder, Master Li Hongzhi.

Practitioners held a rally at the State Library of Victoria, and gave performances to celebrate the 32^nd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public and Master’s birthday.

Master Li Hongzhi introduced Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, on May 13, 1992. Falun Dafa practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in their daily lives. Within seven years of its introduction, Falun Gong had attracted 100 million people to the practice. Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) brutal persecution, practitioners continue to clarify the truth and peacefully expose the atrocities committed by the CCP. 

Falun Dafa is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions. The practice’s main book, Zhuan Falun, has been translated into 50 languages. 

Representative of Falun Dafa Association: Witnessing Falun Dafa Unfolding in the World Is a Privilege

Rebel Jom, Representative of the Falun Dafa Association of Australia, Victoria Branch, gave a speech on May 11, 2024.

Rebel Jom, representative of the Falun Dafa Association of Australia, Victoria Branch, addressed the rally. She said, “World Falun Dafa Day is a celebration of the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance – values distilled through 5,000 years of ancient Chinese civilization. The practitioners here want to take the opportunity to showcase the beauty of Falun Dafa and help local communities learn more about the practice. World Falun Dafa Day also celebrates the positive contributions Falun Dafa has made to society.

“Falun Dafa practitioners have actively held meditation classes both online and in parks and gardens throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. These classes are open to everyone and always free of charge. I think everyone here today that has experienced the practice has a wonderful story to tell about how they have benefitted from Falun Dafa. Most of them have become healthier, both physically and mentally. Some have also shared that their relationships with their family members or work colleagues have improved. They also became calmer, more focused and better parents, spouses, neighbors, worker and generally more selfless members of society. 

“In some people’s eyes, Falun Gong is merely seen as a political group, an anti-CCP group. They often see us in the street collecting signatures, or they see us holding protest marches and parades. As a matter of fact, it’s not. If it wasn’t for the brutal persecution that practitioners have endured at the hands of the Chinese Communist regime over the past 25 years, we would never have had to do these things. Falun Dafa is in fact a beautiful and peaceful meditation practice and the five sets of exercises you just saw, should be the real image of Falun Gong and that’s the image we hope you will leave with today.

“Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance are universal values worth celebrating. To be able to witness these values unfolding in the world at large is a privilege. To celebrate this phenomenon and its values is even more precious.”

Victoria Shadow Treasurer: Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day Is a Significant Occasion

Brad Rowswell MP, Victoria shadow treasurer, state MP for Sandringham, sent a greeting letter to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Brad Rowswell MP, Victoria shadow treasurer, state MP for Sandringham, sent a letter in support of the day’s events. The MP wrote, “Today, we gather to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, a significant occasion that not only pays tribute to the ancient practice of Falun Dafa but also underscores the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and religion.

“Falun Dafa, with its roots in ancient Chinese tradition, embodies compassion and forbearance. Yet, the celebration of Falun Dafa goes beyond the practice itself; it serves as a beacon of hope for the protection of our cherished liberties.

“In a world where the rights of individuals to express their chosen faith are sometimes challenged, World Falun Dafa Day underscores the importance of upholding these fundamental human rights.

“Additionally, the persecution of the Falun Dafa serves as a focal reminder of the integrity and inherent dignity of the individual, an idea that Australia has proudly held as a core value of our national identity since Federation. As Australians, we have a responsibility to defend our freedoms – the freedom to elect, the freedom to assemble, the freedom to speak, and the freedom to worship.

“World Falun Dafa Day reiterates the token of privilege that an Australian citizenship provides, and a profound recognition of the stable life enjoyed by Australians, granted by our strong institutions, customs, and traditions.

“As we commemorate World Falun Dafa Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to defend our rights. Let us stand in solidarity with those facing persecution and work tirelessly to create a world where freedom is truly universal.”

Victoria MP: Australians Need to Hear Practitioners’ Stories

David Limbrick, a Victorian state MP representing the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, made a speech in the rally. He said, “Those that value freedom the most are those that have lost it. And I know that many people are still concerned about what’s happening with the persecution of Falun Dafa people in China. But there is a bright side to that, in that many of them, I’m proud to say, have chosen to come to Australia and make Australia their home.”

David Limbrick, a Victorian State MP, addressed the rally in Melbourne. 

“And talk about their principles of truth, tolerance and compassion, these are principles that I share, and I believe many Australians share. I’ve been very happy to be in contact with many Falun Dafa people in my area in South East Metro, and come to know them. And one thing that we must be very careful of in Australia is to always uphold the freedoms. The freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom of expression. 

“And I know that people in Falun Dafa also hold these things dear and protect them.

“So I’d like to say congratulations on Falun Dafa Day, and to keep fighting for these principles, and those of us in Australia to heed the warnings of those who have fled authoritarianism, and fled persecution to hear their stories and take them as a warning. So that we make sure that these things never happen in Australia.”

Tiananmen Times Director: I Am Proud Falun Dafa Originated in China

Ruan Jie, director of Tiananmen Times, made a speech in the rally. 

Ruan Jie, the director of Tiananmen Times, said that despite how busy he was, he always came to support Falun Dafa, to speak the truth and to call for an end to the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa. 

He said, “Falun Gong is a rare and remarkable strength in China. It plays a positive and effective role in changing Chinese society and the future of China.

“We should be proud that Falun Gong originated from China and it represents the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. We shouldn’t vilify Falun Gong or attack Falun Gong as the CCP does. Falun Gong is great, a very good practice. I hope people all over the world, especially Chinese people, recognize the importance of Falun Gong’s role in restoring morality in the Chinese society and support Falun Gong.”

Ruan Jie worried about China, where he feels that people’s morality is degrading and their minds are deviating. He said, “Some recent Chinese immigrants brought the CCP’s struggle mentality overseas. They affect the overseas Chinese and even the whole community.”

He believes that only Falun Gong can change China for the better. “It’s imperative to restore morality in China. Falun Gong can restore morality and social justice after the CCP is ended in China in the future.”

Falun Dafa Is Good

Paul Nash from South Australia, a floor manager in a hospital, was visiting his family in Melbourne. He stopped and watched the parade for a long time. 

Paul Nash said he felt positive energy during the parade. 

He said, “It’s very nice, colorful and lots of nice people. Friendly, helpful people, caring.”

He believes that the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance are very important. He said he could clearly see that these principles were internalized by practitioners and that following these principles is a good thing. 

Mr. Nash noticed that practitioners were of different ages, ranging from older people in their sixties and seventies, to toddlers. He said he felt the positive energy. “I’ll be trying it when I go home,” he said, referring to the Falun Dafa pamphlet he'd received from practitioners. “Seems like a good thing.”

This was the first time he’d heard of the Chinese Communist regime’s state-sanctioned organ harvesting from living practitioners. As someone who works in the medical industry, he said, “It’s terrible. It’s absolutely terrible. It shouldn’t happen. Bottom line, you know. How can innocent people die because they’ve given up their organs, you know? It’s completely wrong.”

Tourist: Parade Spreads Values People Should Cherish

Wendy Blackshaw, a retired teacher from a country town in New South Wales, was visiting Melbourne with her friend. She said she felt fortunate to see the parade.

Wendy Blackshaw, a retired teacher from a country town in New South Wales, said that the parade conveyed the values that people should cherish. 

Ms. Blackshaw said this was the first time she’d heard of Falun Dafa. She said, “The values of truth, compassion and tolerance certainly fits in with what we believe as people, as teachers and what we hope will continue to be with people. That they will understand these values and work towards achieving them.

“The parade is wonderful. We are privileged to be here, very privileged to view that and to respect the Chinese, their culture and what they’ve done here and how they operate as a community within Melbourne.

“We can feel the energy coming through. Absolutely. It’s really lovely. Very nice and very well presented. I think the people and their dignity are really lovely. So thank you for what you’ve done today.”