(Clearwisdom.net) More than five hundred Falun Gong practitioners in Australia gathered in Sydney on May 8, 2004 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day (May 13) and the twelfth anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction. Practitioners from Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Tasmania, Perth and Sydney held a large-scale parade in Sydney's Chinatown to recount the great and peaceful journey of Falun Dafa.

Fifth Parade Formation: "The Buddha-light illuminates everywhere and rectifies all abnormalities"

Falun Gong practitioners in Australia celebrate the 12th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction with parade

Demonstration of torture methods

Mourning of murdered Falun Gong practitioners as part of the third parade formation: "Heaven and earth will not tolerate brutal persecution"

Parade procession in Chinatown

SOS to rescue Falun Gong practitioners in China

Parade in Hype Park

Children of Minghui School in parade

More than five hundred Falun Gong practitioners made five parade formations: "The World Needs Truth-Compassion-Forbearance." "Wide Spread of Falun Dafa Around the World." "Heaven and Earth Will Not Tolerate the Brutal Persecution." "Global Trial of Jiang Zemin." "The Buddha-Light Illuminates Everywhere and Rectifies All Abnormalities." Floats, dances, drumming, colorful flags, banners and pictures unfolded the peace and beauty of Falun Dafa, its great benefits and the ruthless persecution of Falun Gong by Jiang's group. The parade also predicted a bright future when justice will win and Truth-Compassion-Forbearance will remain forever.

The parade started from the Chinatown Entertainment Center around 1 p.m. It went through the business district and center of Chinese community and ended in Hype Park. The large-scale parade made a grand sight over weekend in Sydney. Pedestrians and tourists were greatly impressed by the spectacle. They stopped to watch, took pictures and even followed the parade to take videos.

Following a board inscribed with "Falun Gong" were a drum team, celestial maiden dance team and a huge model of the book Zhuan Falun. Practitioners in colorful uniform demonstrated the five sets of Falun Gong exercises. Parade viewers rewarded the cheerful drum and music with warm applauses.

Up to February 2004, the main book of Falun Dafa, Zhuan Falun, has been published into twenty-five languages. The introductory book, Falun Gong, has been published into thirty languages.

Ever since Falun Dafa was introduced in 1992, it has been spread to more than one hundred million practitioners in more than sixty countries. People of different ethnic groups, cultures and ranks have been shaken by the profound teaching and their hearts were refined. Falun Dafa exercise sites are found in all major cities and regions of Australia. More and more people are coming to learn more about Falun Dafa. Practitioners from different regions and ethnic groups of this multicultural country participated in the parade in their colorful ethnic costumes. Children of the Minghui School also walked in the parade holding lotuses.

Disregarding other people's opinion, Jiang Zemin, the former head of the Chinese Communist Party, launched the persecution of Falun Gong in July 1999. Hundreds of people have been illegally arrested, detained, thrown into forced labor camps, brainwashing classes and mental hospitals. More than forty cruel torture methods have been used on innocent Falun Gong practitioners.

A vivid demonstration of tortures told the tragedies in China's forced labor camps and detention centers. Parade viewers were shocked by the brutality. Confirmed death cases of Falun Gong practitioners have added up to 955. It was sad and stirring when the memorial team passed by holding wreaths and photos of victims.

The next theme was global trial of Jiang, the chief perpetrator responsible for the persecution. Even since Falun Gong practitioners filed a lawsuit against Jiang for genocide in Chicago in 2002, Falun Gong practitioners have filed lawsuits against him in Belgium, Spain, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, etc. On April 7, 2004, Australian citizen, Ms. Zhang Cuiying, filed an appeal in the United Nations, charging Jiang for genocide, torture and crimes against humanity.

Dr. Liu from the World Organization to Investigation the Persecution of Falun Gong said the persecution is a direct violation of laws and is based on lies. Falun Gong practitioners in China have been deprived of their legal rights. Overseas Falun Gong practitioners, especially those who had been subjected to tortures, should defend their legal rights and bring Jiang to international courts as soon as possible.

The fifth formation of the parade is composed of fan dance, Tang dynasty costume show and floats. It predicts a celebration of the world and the universe when the persecution of Falun Gong ends. People cheered over the joyous spectacle.

No power can deprive people of the goodness of human nature. Despite the last five years of brutal persecution in China, Falun Gong practitioners, kindhearted and unyielding, continue to clarify the truth to the world and live by Truth-Compassion-Forbearance. They defend the truth and expose lies with their peaceful and rational behavior, even their lives. They are enduring unspeakable suffering and bringing a bright future to all kind people in the world.

Channel 9 of Australia TV reported the parade at prime time. NTDTV, Epoch Times and Sound of Hope reported the parade in detail.