(Minghui.org) May 13, 2021, was the 22nd World Falun Dafa Day and the 29th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. Elected officials sent letters of congratulations to the Falun Dafa Association in Australia to mark the occasion.
In their letters, the elected officials also expressed their gratitude to Falun Dafa, because practitioners shared the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance with the community, bringing people comfort and hope.
Elected officials in Australia who sent letters of congratulations for World Falun Dafa Day.Left to right, first row: Senator Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Senator Alex Antic, Senator Dean Smith, Senator Eric Abetz, Tim Wilson MP, and the Hon Scott Buchholz MPLeft to right, second row: Senator Larissa Waters, Michael Berkman MP, Tammy Franks MP, Joe Szakacs MP, Brad Rowswell MP, and David Crisafulli MP.Left to right, third row: Michael Crandon MP, Mark Robinson MP, Sam O’Connor MP, Bernie Finn MP, David Limbrick MP, Tanya Davies MP, and Julia Finn MP.Left to right, fourth row: Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer of Parramatta, Vice Mayor Cr Peter Kim of Ryde, Councilor Cr Andrew Wilson of Parramatta, Councilor Cr Sameer Pandey of Parramatta, Councilor Cr Jess Diaz of Blacktown, Councilor Kevin Crameri OAM of Penrith, and Councilor Cr Peter Castaldo of Banyule.
Senator: You Should Be Commended for Your Bravery, Courage and Spiritual Fortitude
Senator Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and her letter
Senator Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells wrote, “Falun Dafa has enriched the lives of millions of people around the world through gentle exercise, meditation and moral teachings that promote the values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.
“Sadly, Falun Dafa practitioners have suffered persecution, imprisonment, torture and death at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party for the last 20 years and continue to do so because you challenge state sponsored dictatorship and atheism with freedom and spirituality. You should be commended for your bravery, courage and spiritual fortitude.
“Falun Dafa practitioners were among the very first organizations and movements to warn the world about the Chinese Communist Party’s extensive human rights abuses that have and continue to target academic, intellectuals, journalists, political dissidents as well as religious minorities such as Christians, Muslims and Falun Dafa practitioners.
“I wish you well for your 13 May commemorations and know that many around the world stand with you in your struggles for freedom and human rights.”
Letter from Senator Alex Antic
Senator Alex Antic wrote, “Falun Gong practitioners have stood up for their beliefs in the face of incredible pressure and threats directed at them from the Chinese Communist Party, even while here in Australia. I would encourage adherents to continue to be proud of their history and traditions.”
Senator Dean Smith and his letter
Senator Dean Smith wrote, “Now, more than ever, Falun Dafa’s message of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance are an example to all of us – in Australia and around the world.”
“On this World Falun Dafa Day, we celebrate the Falun Dafa mission to make society a healthier and more harmonious place.”
Senator: Thanks Falun Dafa
Senator Eric Abetz offered his congratulations on World Falun Dafa Day via video. He said, “Falun Dafa practitioners' determination and perseverance in pursuing freedom are touching and inspiring during the systematic and brutal oppression that has lasted for more than 20 years.”
“For those of us who are fortunate enough to enjoy freedom, let us be grateful to them.” “Let us fight for freedom side by side with brave people like Falun Gong practitioners.”
Federal Member of Parliament (MP): The World’s Liberal Democracies Must Renew Their Commitment to Freedom of Religion
MP Tim Wilson and his letter
MP Tim Wilson wrote, “For a government that sustains its regime through brute force and societal oppression, the CCP’s persecution of the Falun Gong has been particularly horrific.
“All people deserve the freedom to exercise their conscience without suffering arbitrary arrest, torture and death. Freedoms of conscience, belief and thought are not granted by government – they are an essential part of being human and therefore beyond reproach.”
Letter from Brad Rowswell, MP of Victoria Parliament
MP Brad Rowswell wrote, “It is widely known that Falun Dafa adherents have been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment, and the complete divestment of basic human rights and civic agency.
“The amelioration of their plight is a responsibility shared in common by national Governments across the globe.”
Letter from federal MP Hon Scott Buchholz
MP Hon Scott Buchholz wrote, “As the Federal Member for Wright I have built a strong relationship with the Queensland Falun Dafa practitioners. I’m always happy to support their efforts to better family life, health and overall wellbeing, and to share the peaceful, health-living nature of the practice with our broader community.”
Letter from Senator Larissa Waters and Senator Michael Berkman
The letter reads, “As Greens representatives, we commend the Falun Dafa practitioners across Australia for their connections to local communities – especially across our rich and diverse home state of Queensland – and for their ongoing dedication to truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.”
State MP: Support for Falun Dafa
MP Tammy Franks of South Australia Parliament and her letter
MP Tammy Franks wrote, “I stand with you today, and on all other days, against the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China. We know that there is no law that makes Falun Gong illegal, and that the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of practitioners has no legal basis. It is cruel and unjust. No one should be persecuted for their practice or their faith, and we will continue to stand against these human rights abuses.”
Letter from Joe Szakacs, MP of South Australia
The letter reads, “In light of the difficult times the world has endured this past year, it is more important than ever to recognise and commend the practice of Falun Dafa for its profound contributions to society, including cultivating health and harmony for its practitioners.”
Letter from Julia Finn, MP of New South Wales
Letter from Bernie Finn, MP of Victoria
Letter from David Limbrick, MP of Victoria
Letter from Tanya Davies, MP of New South Wales
Letter from David Crisafulli, MP of Queensland
Letter from Michael Crandon, MP of Queensland
Letter from Mark Robinson, MP of Queensland
Letter from Sam O’Connor, MP of Queensland
City Councilors Send Letters of Greeting
Letter from City Council of Parramatta, New South Wales
Councilor Andrew Wilson of Parramatta and his letter
Letter from Vice Mayor Cr Peter Kim of Ryde, New South Wales
Letter from Councilor Cr Sameer Pandey of Parramatta
Letter from Councilor Cr Jess Diaz of Blacktown, Sydney
Letter from Councilor Kevin Crameri OAM of Penrith, Sydney
Background: What Is Falun Dafa?
Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people have embraced the practice, which is based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance and includes five gentle exercises, and experienced improved health and well-being.
Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline's growing popularity as a threat to the CCP's atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, issued an order to ban the practice.
Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 22 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. More have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.
There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply the organ transplant industry.
Under Jiang's personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.
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