(Minghui.org) A celebration to commemorate Falun Dafa’s worldwide introduction was held at Parramatta Town Hall Square in Sydney on June 28, 2025. Local citizens and elected officials attended the event and said they appreciated Falun Dafa’s contribution to people’s physical and mental health, morality, and the community’s cultural diversity.

Falun Dafa practitioners demonstrated the exercises at the Parramatta Town Hall Square.

We Share Falun Dafa’s Values

Senior City Councilor Paul Garrard of Cumberland addressed the rally.

Senior City Councilor Paul Garrard of Cumberland spoke highly of Falun Dafa’s values and said he would propose a motion to commend the spiritual practice in the following month. He said, “Let us rejoice again and experience the beautiful dreams of Falun Dafa. But I want to make some of them a reality. In July, Councilor Hughes and I will propose a motion in the Cumberland City Council to designate May 13 of each year as Falun Dafa Day. Your wonderful organization will actually get public recognition.”

Councilor Garrard said that Cumberland City represents the values of openness, tolerance and forbearance and believes in freedom of religious expression and belief. Therefore, he publicly declared that they shared the values of Falun Dafa.

Councilor Garrard also expressed his awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) nature. He said, “My friends, today I stand with you against the Chinese Communist Party. We are here to remind the world of the CCP’s deception, lies and cover-ups, using the pandemic as a lesson. We are here to oppose the CCP’s intimidation. And importantly, we are here to defend Australian values. So today, let us come together to say no. Let us say no to forced conversion; let us say no to arbitrary arrest; let us say no to forced labour; let us say no to physical torture; let us say no to unlawful imprisonment.”

City Councilor Helen Hughes addressed the rally.

City Councilor Helen Hughes said, “The fundamental virtues of your great movement, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, are of great significance to our lives. I am pleased with the virtues that your group has demonstrated and practiced, as well as the human rights and freedom of belief that you enjoy.”

She highly praised Falun Dafa’s contribution around the world and indicated that the principles of Falun Dafa promote people’s physical and mental health, emotional improvement, and spiritual elevation, “Your contribution to the community through your dedication to faith and sharing of cultivation and faith is so precious. You are spreading it so that more people can benefit.”

Mike Luo, running for the 2025 federal election, speaks at the rally.

Mike Luo, the Liberal Party candidate for the 2025 federal election in Blaxland, said, “We share a commitment to the principles of freedom and mutual respect. I have great respect for the integrity, self-discipline and extraordinary perseverance of Falun Dafa practitioners, a group that quietly but powerfully embodies these ideals.”

He said that Falun Dafa is a spiritual practice based on meditation, peaceful exercises and moral philosophy, following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. These are not political slogans, but universal human values. And the freedom to follow these principles peacefully and openly is the cornerstone of the free and open society we cherish.

“Now, I realize that for many people, Falun Dafa is not only a spiritual path, but also a story of courage. The brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China is a serious injustice of our time,” Mr. Luo said. “The peaceful tenacity of Falun Dafa practitioners has always been something I admire.”

Ganesh Loke, running in the 2025 federal election, speaks in the rally.

Federal election candidate Ganesh Loke said, “I admire Falun Dafa and its principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.”

He said that Falun Dafa practitioners are persecuted and brutally killed by the CCP in China, and practitioners’ organs are harvested for profit. Despite this, Falun Dafa still stands firm. “I admire your courage, which is why I am here to stand with you and oppose the atrocities of the CCP. I believe that there must be freedom of speech in this world.”

Bob Vinnicombe, China human rights advocate, addressed the rally.

Human rights activist Bob Vinnicombe said, “We celebrate the benefits of practicing Falun Dafa. To understand the significance of the practice, you must understand the history of the CCP.”

He then cited the “Cultural Revolution is like the CCP’s massacre” to illustrate the CCP’s brutal history. “In those years, you could be killed for accepting anything related to traditional Chinese culture. The persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners and the killing of political prisoners for their organs are all continuations of the CCP’s policies.”

He finally called on the public to understand the principles of Falun Dafa and recognize the true nature of the CCP. “This way you can understand what Falun Dafa is doing for you and what threats the CCP poses to civilized areas of the world.”

Public Support Falun Dafa

Taira Tafa supports Falun Dafa.

Parramatta resident Taira Tafa is a college student, and said she was drawn by the speeches, “I agree with everyone’s speeches and I like the band’s performance, which is also very good.”

This was the first time she heard about Falun Dafa. When she heard the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, she said, “I absolutely agree with these values. This is something that our society needs more.”

After learning about the persecution of Falun Dafa, Taira said, “I think this opened my eyes. I think it is also a good revelation for me to understand the problems happening here and similar things. I don’t agree with the persecution, and I don’t think they should be persecuted. It’s really sad to see people go through this, and I think it is a good thing to raise awareness of this issue.”

Syam Mohan likes Falun Gong.

Syam Mohan came to Sydney from India two years ago and works in a building in Parramatta Square. A friend told him about Falun Dafa and the activities.

He said, “Practicing Falun Dafa makes you feel refreshed, fills your heart with energy, and rejuvenates you. It will affect your entire personality, the way you speak and the way you interact with people. You will gain positive energy.”

He also agreed with the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. He said, “You must be sincere, and you must have compassion for others around you. Helping others is the value you should maintain as a person. And spread these to all parts of the world, so that the whole world will truly prosper.”

Daughter Eden (left) and mother Sri said they enjoyed learning about different cultures, experiencing different music, dance and meditation.

“I think meditation is essential, unfortunately we live in a busy world that prioritizes the fast-paced hustle and bustle,” Eden said. “I think it’s really important to connect with yourself in a more spiritual way. Meditation is a great way to connect with your breath and even your mindfulness. It’s really beautiful and I’m going to learn more about it.”

Both mother and daughter praised the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. “Everyone should have these values. Unfortunately, we live in a world where a lot of people don’t have them,” Sri said. “So it’s really nice to find a community that has that spirit, just to know that there are people like this out there. It’s nice to be a part of them. The world needs more people like them.”

Eden added, “It’s definitely something you have to do and I think everyone should do it. Because if everyone did that, obviously the world would be a better place. Everyone would understand each other more.”

Sri said that the practitioners who were persecuted in China were really unfortunate. “Different values are suppressed. Therefore, we need to use various social media to let the world know, really convey it to everyone, and bring hope to these people.”

Eden said, “We are in an era where anyone’s voice can be heard. I think there are many people who hope that the correct voice can be expressed. I think there is definitely room for large-scale changes. I think this is the change that must happen in the world, and I sincerely wish you and your group all the best.”

Dalvin Antony commends the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Dalvin Antony, who works nearby, saw practitioners demonstrate the exercises and was interested in the free classes. He said, “This is a quiet and peaceful place.”

Practitioners gave performances to celebrate Falun Dafa’s introduction.