By Queensland Falun Dafa Practitioners
The
annual “Day of Peace” celebration was held at the University of Southern Queensland
in Toowoomba, Australia on March 17, 2004. Organizers of this event had strongly
hoped Falun Gong practitioners would again come to give a dance performance in
Tang Dynasty costumes. (The dance ends with Falun Gong practitioners in bright
Tang Dynasty costumes unfolding a colorful banner saying “Falun Dafa Is Great.”)
Falun Dafa practitioners happily accepted their invitation.
It
was a warm sunny day. The campus looked fresh with rain from the night before.
Falun Dafa practitioners set up an information desk and displayed photos of Falun
Dafa activities around the world. They also told the university faculty and students
about the persecution of Falun Gong in China by Jiang’s group.
The
campus was busy around noon. Faculty, staff and students came to join the celebration
activities. Falun Gong practitioners took this opportunity to clarify the truth
about Falun Gong to them, collect signatures and expose the cruel persecution
of Falun Gong by Jiang’s group. Many people signed their name. They said
freedom of belief is a basic human right, and that people should not be persecuted
for their beliefs, especially people who follow such great principles as, “Truthfulness,
Compassion and Forbearance.” They hoped the UN Human Rights Commission and all
peace-loving people would work together to stop the persecution of Falun Gong
practitioners in China.
Falun Gong practitioners’ dance performance
received waves of warm applause. Several media interviewed the dancers after their
performance.
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| Signature Collection | Dancing Performance |
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| Media Interview |
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Falun Gong practitioners
also told people about the “Petals of Peace” postcard campaign. Postcards would
be sent to the Chair of the 60th UN Convention on Human Rights in Geneva
to urge the UN Human Rights organizations to pay attention to human rights in
China and to help stop the persecution of Falun Gong.
The following are
quotes from what people wrote on postcards:
“I hope the UN will help stop
the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Everyone should have the freedom of belief.”
“Let’s
work together to protect basic human rights and freedom of belief.”
“I sincerely
hope children of Falun Gong practitioners won’t suffer any more. I hope they
will get together with their parents soon.”
“Officials of the United Nations,
please open your hearts, listen to children’s calls, and take your responsibility
for justice. Stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China!”
“My heart is
crying on seeing the persecution of Falun Gong in China. I can’t believe
such brutal torture still exists in China in the 21st century. We can’t
bear it!”
Posting date: 28/Mar/2004
Original
article date: 26/Mar/2004
Category: Australian
News
