Sydney, Australia: Falun Gong Practitioners Stage "July 20" Anti-Persecution Parade to Call for an End to the Killing of Falun Gong Practitioners (Photos)
(Clearwisdom.net) On July 18, 2004, nearly 300 Falun Gong practitioners around Sydney, Australia staged the 5th anniversary of "July 20" anti-persecution parade. The purpose was to expose the Jiang group's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, to commemorate and remember fellow practitioners who have died from the suppression, to condemn Jiang's group for hiring thugs to shoot Falun Gong practitioners in South Africa, and to call upon Australian people from all walks of life to work together to stop Jiang's group from exporting its state-run terrorism to overseas and to bring Jiang to justice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|  Symbolic trial of Jiang in front of the City Hall |
|  Symbolic trial of Jiang in front of the City Hall |
|  William Wei addresses the rally |
|
|  Rally in front of the City Hall |
|  Practitioners distributing truth-clarifying literatures |
|   Practicing exercises in front of the City Hall |
|
|   Practicing exercises in front of the City Hall |
|  Young practitioners from Minghui School |
At around 8 a.m. on July 18, about 100 practitioners held a group practice in the beautiful Victoria Park near the city center. The serene scene drew great attention from many passersby who stopped to watch the exercise demonstration. Some vehicles passing by also honked to express support. A reporter from the Sydney Herald newspaper also came to cover the event. Practitioners introduced to the reporter the theme of the grand parade and further exposed the Jiang group's terrorist act of hiring gunmen to shoot Australian practitioners in South Africa. Around 10 a.m., nearly 300 practitioners set off from the park. They passed the Sydney University and the busy Newtown area and concluded the parade in front of the Marrickville City Hall, where they held a rally. After the rally, practitioners practiced the Falun Dafa exercises again. The activities concluded at around 2 p.m.
Practitioner Jonathan Solomon coordinated the rally. He introduced to local citizens Falun Dafa and the Jiang group's cruel suppression of Falun Dafa. He especially mentioned the terrorist act that recently took place in South Africa, which Australia Falun Gong practitioners were shot by some hired gunmen and the Jiang group is believed to be behind this incident. The Jiang group's suppression of Falun Gong has lasted five years. According to incomplete estimation, 1,006 Falun Gong practitioners have died as a result of the persecution. Most of them were tortured to death. Jonathan called on all kind-hearted people to come together to stop Jiang's atrocities. Jonathan also read out local Parliament Member Anthony Albanese's letter, in which Anthony expressed his support to the parade and rally.
Mr. William Wei was one of the witnesses of the drive-by shooting incident in South Africa. He once again spoke at the rally to call on all countries' governments, international organizations and all communities to unite together to expose and stop the Jiang group's state-run terrorism.
Falun Gong practitioners also held a symbolic trial of Jiang. With this visualized form, practitioners exposed the monstrous crimes committed by Jiang in the persecution of Falun Gong and pointed out that Jiang will eventually be brought to justice.
Many people were deeply moved. A young western man asked practitioners how he could help to stop Jiang's evildoing. An elderly gentleman wanted to sign a petition to express his support of Falun Gong practitioners and his indignation towards Jiang's terrorism.
Ari, a 13-year-old boy from Newtown, asked practitioners for the truth-clarifying materials and took the initiative to participate in the entire rally. He told reporters when accepting interviews, "Today's activities are really good! They are significant and meaningful. I hate Jiang! He should not have used such despicable means to treat the peaceful Falun Gong practitioners." He pointed to the torture exhibition on the big trailer and said, "Falun Gong practitioners do not deserve such torture. They did not do anything wrong. It is Jiang who is wrong! He should be brought to justice and be punished!"
Robin, another local resident, told reporters that when he saw the parade, he wanted to learn more about Falun Gong. He said that he believed everyone should enjoy the right to pursue belief and this right should never be deprived.
Five years have passed, yet Falun Gong practitioners are not frightened by the Jiang group's violent suppression. They become more and more steadfast and rational to exercise their belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance and try their best to bring the blessing of Falun Dafa to every person. In the dim and muddy stream, people are awakened from indifference and decadence. From practitioners' endeavor, people have seen the true value of life. Practitioners' suffering and sacrifice are engraved in history, which also records Jiang group's fierceness and foolishness. History will witness the moment when justice defeats evil and the chief perpetrator will be brought to justice.