(Clearwisdom.net) At 4 p.m. on June 13, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners in Brisbane, Australia, lit candles in front of the Chinese Consulate in Brisbane. The practitioners mourned the deaths of over three thousand practitioners during the nine years of the persecution of Falun Gong, protested the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) brutality against its own people, and condemned the CCP special agents for instigating Chinese mobs in Flushing, NY, to attack Falun Gong practitioners.

Along the busy Adelaide Street, practitioners had pictures of those who died in the persecution. The practitioners sat peacefully with lit candles to protest the CCP's crimes against humanity and call for the support from the world's people.

Smith, a practitioner, talked about the persecution of Falun Gong and how recently the persecution has extended overseas. He wanted the general public to be aware and not be deceived by the false accusations against Falun Gong.

"We hope the general public will know how the CCP persecutes good people in and outside of China. The candlelight vigil tonight is to let people know what is happening in China and ask them to help stop the nine-year-long persecution. The persecution has extended overseas and practitioners in the US suffered groundless attacks and harassment. It is unacceptable that the CCP continues to spread propaganda and slanders Falun Gong overseas," said Smith.

The street was full of people getting out of school and work. Many passersby learned about the persecution from the displays on the street and signed the petition calling for an end to the brutality.

A Falun Gong supporter Carl Szumowski believed Falun Gong contributes greatly to China's path to freedom and that one day China will be a democratic country. Szumowski considered it his responsibility to support an anti-persecution activity like the vigil because of his belief in freedom and human rights.

Many Chinese students came to learn about Falun Gong and asked for copies of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. A student said she felt lucky to learn about Falun Gong in Australia and hoped to read the book Zhuan Falun.