(Minghui.org) May 13, 2023, marked 31 years since Falun Dafa was first introduced to the world. May 13 is celebrated as World Falun Dafa Day and is also the birthday of Master Li, the founder of Falun Dafa.

Practitioners in Canberra held a celebration in the center of the city to celebrate this day. They demonstrated the five Falun Dafa exercises and handed out Falun Dafa informational materials to passersby.

They also collected signatures on a petition, calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. They gave out balloons and lotus flower keepsakes that had “Falun Dafa Is Good” printed on them. Many passersby stopped for information and to sign the petition. Several also expressed their desire to learn Falun Dafa.

Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises.

Practitioners hand out information, ask for signatures on the petition, and distribute balloons and lotus flower keepsakes.

“Admire All of You for Being So Steadfast in Your Belief”

Ms. Nelle Smith told a practitioner, “We are worried for all of you because the CCP is so evil. Seeing you are so steadfast, aren’t afraid, and have endured for such a long time, we really admire you for being so steadfast in your belief.

“We object to the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong [also called Falun Dafa]. How to stop this persecution? I think there will ultimately come a day when God will help bring an end to it. Only God can do such a thing. This is the only possibility. I support you for persisting like that, including spreading the truth about the persecution and telling more people about the goodness of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.”

“I Plan to Learn Falun Dafa.”

Ms. Carley Vanessa learning how to say “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” in Mandarin from a Falun Dafa practitioner

Ms. Carley Vanessa signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution. She said, “I know that there are hundreds and millions of people who are practicing Falun Dafa in China. This is a very big cultivation group that scares the CCP. The CCP began the cruel persecution of Falun Dafa in 1999. The harvesting of practitioners’ organs while they are alive is unbelievably cruel. I am shocked and saddened by that.”

She also said, “I have known about Falun Dafa for a very long time. In 2008, I stayed in an area in Sydney where I often saw Falun Dafa practitioners doing the exercises in the park. Falun Dafa asks its cultivators to abide by the standards of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. This is what modern human society is losing. All of us need Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

“Today, my arm felt a bit sore due to an injury, and I was also very depressed. But after coming here, my arm no longer hurts and my heart is filled with joy. This is because I know that practicing Falun Dafa can benefit one’s mind and body. This is what I want, so I plan to learn Falun Dafa. Today I am learning how to say the nine auspicious words ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good’ in Mandarin. It will help me to turn bad luck into good luck so I will say them every day!”

“I Hope That Everyone Can Stand Up to Stop the Persecution”

Ms. Tanara Lanery is an accountant. She said, “Seeing the Falun Dafa practitioners do the exercises and watching their gentle and graceful movements make me feel peaceful and very good. I have heard about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and the organ harvesting from living practitioners. I felt really sad about that. I hope that everyone can stand up to stop the persecution. The CCP regime can do all sorts of evil things. What I find unbelievable is why the CCP wants to persecute Falun Gong.”

A Government Should Let Its People Have the Right to Speak Freely

Ms. Peta Newman works at a spiritual health center. She said, “In the past, I did not know anything about Falun Dafa. Today, seeing you all doing the exercises and meditating here, I really want to join in and try it out. I am looking for a way to strengthen my health. From your introduction, this practice may suit me. Falun Dafa is a practice that cultivates mind and body. It can help one obtain good health, improve one’s morals, and get rid of mental stress. This is crucial for us to lead a happy life. My current life feels very stressful. Being able to reduce stress is very important to me.”

Ms. Newman was shocked and angered to learn about the CCP’s persecution of innocent and kind people. She said, “A government should let its people have the right to speak freely and an environment to do exercises. I have been given a lot of information about Falun Dafa today. I must study it when I get home.”