Sydney, Australia: Speakers Condemn CCP’s Transnational Repression During Rally to Commemorate April 25 Peaceful Appeal

(Minghui.org) “It is despicable that a dictatorship, a foreign power is pointing fingers at us Australians,” said Lyle Shelton, national director of the Family First political party at a rally held at Martin Place, Sydney.

To commemorate the 27th anniversary of the peaceful April 25 Appeal in Beijing, Falun Gong practitioners in Australia held a rally at Martin Place, Sydney’s business and financial center, on April 16, 2026. Some of the attendees' comments included, “Hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens are already aware of the facts on the persecution... The people in China choose Falun Gong, this is a silent referendum... The principles of Falun Gong, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, are life guidelines for all of us.”

They also praised the appeal by practitioners on April 25, 1999, and their courage, rationality, and resilience over the past 27 years. The speakers criticized the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) transnational repression of Falun Gong and Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrating the exercises at Martin Place.

Spokesman for Australia Falun Dafa Association: Hundreds of Millions of People Already Know the Truth

John Deller, spokesman for the Australia Falun Dafa Association, spoke at the rally.

John Deller, spokesman for the Australia Falun Dafa Association, said at the rally, “We gather here today to raise the public’s understanding of the misfortune of Falun Gong because this is a microcosm of what Chinese citizens, Australians and people controlled by the CCP in other countries are experiencing.

“When a government is built on lies, honest, upright people who follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance will be seen as a threat. Yet in fact, they are the foundation of any civilized society.

“When facing indescribable terror, protecting those who uphold Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is protecting our own humanity.

“Falun Gong was first introduced publicly in 1992. By 1998, there were over 70 million people practicing it in China. Falun Gong revives Chinese traditional cultural values. The CCP is full of fear of this and tries to vilify, control and eliminate Falun Gong.

“April 25, 1999 was a turning point,” Deller said in a brief look back at the April 25 Appeal, “That day, 45 Falun Gong practitioners were beaten up for speaking out against an article attacking Falun Gong. Officials at the Public Security Department in Tianjin told practitioners to go to Beijing to handle the matter.

“Through word of mouth, over 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners went to the State Appeals Office near Zhongnanhai in Beijing. The office is established by the government to take petitions and appeals by those who were unjustly treated. Falun Gong practitioners were not there to confront the government. They were there simply to appeal and fight for the right to practice their faith, do the exercises outdoors and publish Falun Dafa books. These were originally such simple and peaceful acts, yet the CCP framed the peaceful appeal by a group of people as ‘a dangerous group besieging the government building.’”

Deller said, “Several months later, on July 20, 1999, the brutal persecution began and continues till today. In spite of the danger, Falun Gong practitioners continue to hold onto their faith and expose the true face of the CCP. Now, hundreds of millions of Chinese already recognize how wonderful Falun Dafa is and the importance of persisting in upholding justice.”

He warned Australian society, “The persecution of Falun Gong is not just China’s problem or China’s internal affair. To Australia and other democratic countries, the challenge lies in speaking out courageously. For trading benefits or so called national interest, staying silent on human rights abuses is a dangerous policy.”

Senior Legal Scholar: Chinese People Choosing Falun Gong Is a Silent Referendum

Professor David Flint, recipient of the Order of Australia and a senior legal scholar, spoke at the rally.

Professor David Flint, recipient of the Order of Australia and a senior legal scholar, praised Falun Gong, “For being a ray of light in the darkness, illuminating the world.” He condemned the CCP’s removal of Falun Gong practitioners’ organs for huge profits and said, “We must uphold the truth, we must speak the truth.”

In his speech Professor Flint described how the CCP persecutes Falun Gong, “The CCP has an army and police, it controls the internet and bank, so why would it be afraid of a group of Falun Gong practitioners practicing slow, gentle exercises in the park? It is not because Falun Gong has political aspirations. Falun Gong practitioners don’t have any political agenda, their values are Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Falun Gong was popular in China right from the beginning. Many people practice it, more than the number of Communist Party members. This indicates a silent referendum on what the Chinese people really want, the regime cannot tolerate this, a political power built on lies, brutality and intolerance cannot condone the existence of a completely different belief system – Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

Family First Party National Director Condemns the CCP’s Transnational Repression

Lyle Shelton, National Director of the Family First Party, spoke at the rally.

Lyle Shelton, National Director of the Family First Party, said in his speech that this rally that commemorates Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful April 25 protest focuses on the CCP’s present violation of Australia’s sovereignty, so it is very important.

He mentioned earlier this year the Chinese consulate in Sydney and Melbourne warned the public not to watch Shen Yun’s performances. “When the CCP’s diplomatic representative tries to tell me what I should or should not see in theaters, as an Australian, I feel indignant.” He said, “The CCP – a dictatorship and foreign political power, pointing fingers at Australians. This is disgusting.”

Shelton also spoke of bomb threats received by Shen Yun during its Australia tour, which caused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to evacuate his residence. “Isn’t this incident evidence of the CCP’s suppression of Shen Yun shows in Australia?” He said, “The message by the attacker clearly points at Shen Yun, ruling out the possibility of CCP’s overseas interference is a very naive idea. This is a severe violation of Australia sovereignty by a foreign political power. A wake-up call for Australia. The Australian authorities must thoroughly investigate the truth of the matter, not go through the motions, the Prime Minister and his wife should help [with this] investigation. We must know who needs to be held accountable for the bomb threats. This is a very serious matter.”

Shelton also emphasized, “When I talk about China’s problem, I am referring to the CCP not Chinese citizens because they are also victims of the evil regime.”

Torchlight Foundation Founder: Our Voices Will Be Heard

Lisa Cotton, founder of the Torchlight Foundation, spoke at the rally.

Lisa Cotton, founder of the Torchlight Foundation, said in her speech, “I want to express my love and understanding to you. Many of you fled your home to come here because it is no longer safe at home.

“What we need to know is our voices will be heard. When we stand together, our voices will become more powerful.”

Former Federal Election Candidate: The Courage of Falun Gong Practitioners Is Admirable

Ganesh Loke

Ganesh Loke, a Federal election candidate, said in his speech, “The principles of Falun Dafa: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, are life guidelines for all of us. I stand with Falun Gong practitioners today because they are fighting against the CCP’s suppression. I admire your courage. It is not easy to stand up against such an evil regime.”

Human Rights Activist: Falun Gong Practitioners Have Become the World’s Loudest Voice Exposing the CCP’s Evil Nature

Bob Vinnicombe, a human rights activist, spoke at the rally.

Bob Vinnicombe, editor of China Impression Forum and a human rights advocate, commended Falun Gong practitioners at the rally for clarifying the facts and the courage to protest peacefully.

“The CCP not only controls people’s whereabouts, life and work, they even want to control people’s thoughts.” He said since the peaceful protest by practitioners in China on April 25, 1999, “Falun Gong practitioners have become the world’s largest voice in exposing the CCP’s evil nature.”

Speaking about the CCP’s evil and what has it got to do with Australia, he said, “When you see cheap products from China, you must know why they are so cheap. One reason is because in China, many people are imprisoned for their faith or political views that don’t align with the CCP, such as Falun Gong practitioners. They are forced into slave labor to make products yet they don’t receive any compensation. Therefore these products are so cheap because there are no labor costs involved.”

A few parents of Shen Yun artists who were at the rally said Shen Yun nurtures children’s good character. The CCP’s defamation cannot cover up the artistic brightness of Shen Yun. Witnesses of the April 25 peaceful protest were also at the rally sharing their personal experiences, exposing the CCP’s lies vilifying Falun Gong. They share a common wish: the Australian government and public can stand out together to condemn and stop the CCP’s transnational repression as well as crimes violating Australia's sovereignty.

(to be continued)