By practitioners from Sydney
On July
18, 2004, nearly 300 Falun Gong practitioners around Sydney 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.
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|  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 |
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|  Rally in front of the City Hall |
|  Practitioners distributing truth-clarifying literatures |
|  Practicing exercises in front of the City Hall |
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|  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 crime. 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.
Posting date: 21/Jul/2004
Original article date: 20/Jul/2004
Category: Australian News
