(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in the city center of Hamilton, New Zealand on July 27 to raise awareness of the 19-year persecution of this peaceful mind-body cultivation practice in China. Since 1999, practitioners in China have been arrested, detained, and sentenced without due process. Many have been subjected to torture, psychiatric abuses, and brainwashing, and even killed, their organs harvested for transplant surgeries.

Falun Gong practitioners in Hamilton, New Zealand, re-enact tortures used in the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Group exercise demonstration at a July 27 rally in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Megan Hooper, a Hamilton resident, is concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Hamilton resident Megan Hooper watched the torture re-enactment intently. She commented, “I know that China did some dodgy things, but I have never actually known that meditation is a crime in China. I believe in freedom of religion. People should be able to practice what they want, as long as it doesn't hurt others... which the government is hurting others, which is not fair.

“China is getting organs from citizens who have been murdered. This is abuse of human rights. The New Zealand government should be doing things against this type of crime.”

Cherie Broomhall: “People shouldn't be punished for trying to find peace.”

Cherie Broomhall, who works at the city center, saw the torture re-enactment during her lunch break. Speaking of people being killed for their organs, Ms. Broomhall said, “I feel like I want to cry. This is terrible! I cannot understand it. I think it is absolutely disgusting! People shouldn't be punished for trying to find peace. I physically feel sick. I cannot believe that it's allowed. I don't understand! The New Zealand government should do something about it.”

Ms. Broomhall encouraged practitioners to collect signatures and inform more people about the persecution via social media. She said she would write to her parliamentary member to raise her concerns, and she would also tell her friends and family to support Falun Gong.