Melbourne, Australia: Commemorative Activities for the Fifth Anniversary of the April 25 Appeal (Photos)
(Clearwisdom.net) On April 25, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners in
Melbourne, Australia held a series of activities to commemorate the fifth
anniversary of the Zhongnanhai appeal. The events were held at the Royal
Exhibition Building, South Bank, Yarra River Bridge and in front of the Chinese
Consulate. The practitioners introduced Falun Dafa to the public and also
allowed them to see clearly the evil nature of the ongoing persecution in China.
They exposed Jiang's group's malicious intentions and brutal persecution of
Falun Gong.
At 10:00am, some practitioners arrived at the Royal Exhibition Building
in the Brunswick District to attend the first Athletic Sports Exhibition.
The aim of the exhibition is to display ways to keep fit and improve health. As soon as visitors entered the exhibition, they could see the Falun Dafa
exercises performance in the grand hall. The practitioners, in bright yellow
exercises clothes, demonstrated the five sets of the exercises to the
peaceful music. While some practitioners introduced Falun Dafa at the exhibition, another
group of practitioners set up a booth near the busiest streets on South Bank
to introduce Falun Dafa and explain the facts to people passing by. Many
children were attracted by "paper lotuses" at the booth.
Practitioners were teaching them to fold, and told them a real story behind
the paper lotus flower and the story of little Fadu behind the "petal
of peace." At 3:30pm, more than 60 practitioners walked on the Yarra River (across
downtown Melbourne) Bridge. At the west side of the bridge, practitioners
unfurled large banners, some held display boards with words, "Stop the
persecution," some set up a long board with photos, some held wreathes
with photos of those practitioners who have died as a result of the
persecution. Some practitioners passed Dafa brochures and truth
clarification material to people passing by who slowed down by such a solemn
scene. Some people quietly looked at the photos, some silently read the
words on the display boards, some seriously accepted truth-clarifying
materials from practitioners, some walked up to practitioners to ask
questions, and some took pictures. Western practitioner Kate explained to people the history of "April
25," -- more than 10,000 people peacefully appealed at Zhongnanhai in
Beijing, how Falun Dafa has flourished around the world, and about the
persecution in China. She used examples, figures and research results to
expose Jiang and his followers' evil deeds of brutally suppressing Falun
Gong. Pan Yu and Zhang Dong, who live in exile in Australia, spoke of their
experiences several years ago when they were illegally detained at a
detention center and labor camp and suffered brutal torture just because
they said fair words for Falun Gong. They said what they experienced is
happening on many more Falun Gong practitioners in China. They also called
on people to see clearly all this and not be deceived by deceptive lies. At 7:00pm, practitioners arrived outside the Chinese Consulate. They lit
dozens of candles and displayed them in front of a lawn. The candles
illuminated the banner opposite the front gate of the consulate that said,
"Commemorate Falun Gong practitioners who have died as a result of the
persecution." At 8:00pm, the practitioners sat in meditation to send
forth righteous thoughts. Vehicles slowly passed as the people in them felt
the special and solemn atmosphere of the candlelight vigil.
Demonstrating the five sets of the exercises at the Royal Exhibition
Building in Melbourne
On the Yarra River Bridge
Young practitioners in Minghui School
"In Memory"
During the night of April 25, a solemn candlelight vigil is being
held in front of the Chinese Consulate
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2004/4/27/73271.html
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