(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a ceremony on May 15 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day (May 13) and the 29th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. Two mayors of Chinese communities honored the occasion, and a Chinese city councilor sent a greeting letter.
Mayor Cr Andrew Munroe (left) of the City of Whitehorse and Mayor Cr Andrew Conlon of the City of Manningham
The celebration was held on the square of the Box Hill shopping center in Melbourne. Box Hill and the surrounding area are the largest and best-known Chinese communities in the City of Whitehorse.
Mayor Cr Andrew Munroe spoke during the ceremony. He said, “I stand with those who defend freedom and democracy. Of course, I am aware of the persecution Falun Dafa has suffered for a long time.”
Mayor Cr Andrew Munroe speaks in the ceremony.
Mayor Munroe said he was appalled and saddened by the persecution of Falun Dafa, the plight of Hong Kong and Taiwanese people, as well as the repression and abuse of so many people inside and outside mainland China. “The CCP has also penetrated into other parts of the world, trying to exert influence and buy influence.”
“When a government needs to use oppression and other means to maintain its power, people must question its legitimacy. Undoubtedly, this worries Falun Dafa practitioners.” They are a group of peace-loving people who only hope to practice Falun Dafa and promote the traditional culture, he said, adding that the City Government of Whitehorse absolutely supports these wishes.
Tina Liu, a city council member, sent a greeting letter to congratulate all participants of the World Falun Dafa Day celebration.
She wrote, “It is great to see more community events held in a safe environment during the raging pandemic and a very difficult year. I know that people in more than 80 countries around the world, adhering to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, are celebrating this holiday at the same time. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are important universal values.”
Letter from Mayor Cr Andrew Conlon of the City of Manningham
Mayor Cr Andrew Conlon said in his letter, “On behalf of the Manningham City Council, I would like to send our best wishes to the Victoria Falun Dafa Association in Australia. I wish you a happy and successful celebration.”
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 teachings—which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance as well as five gentle exercises—and experienced uplifted 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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