(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners gathered in front of the Town Hall on George Street, in Sydney Australia on the afternoon of April 1, 2016 to raise awareness of the persecution in China. They presented an exercise demonstration, along with banners, a signature drive, and post cards, and explained the 17-year-long brutal suppression against innocent practitioners to the passersby.

The signatures and post cards will be forwarded to the Australian Primer Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, who is scheduled to visit China on April 14 and 15.

After learning about persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China, passersby sign petitions and postcards calling to end the brutality.

Emergency Physician: “Everyone Must Pay Attention to This”

Eleanor Loughhead, an emergency physician from Perth who was in Sydney for a conference, visited the practitioners’ event with her friend. One practitioner, Melanie, told them about how Falun Gong helps improve people's health and mind nature, and about the harsh suppression in China. Melanie said, “Because of their belief, practitioners were arrested, detained, tortured, imprisoned, or even killed for their organs.”

Both Loughhead and her friend signed postcards to be sent to the Prime Minister. She also asked for additional postcards for her friends in Perth. “It is a serious issue and everyone must pay attention to this.” She said although our voices may not be loud as individuals, we have to do whatever we can to take a stance in the face of the viciousness, “It is unimaginable that people are being tortured or killed for such basic beliefs.”

Emergency physician Eleanor Loughhead was astonished by the persecution in China.

Loughhead also thanked practitioners for informing the public about the atrocity. She encouraged them to forward people's feedback to the United Nations Human Rights Council and Malcolm Turnbull. “There is no doubt that the Primer Minister has his agenda during the trip. But we have to let him know what is the most fundamental issue we citizens are concerned about. He has to take action.”

“When Governments Officials Focus on Human Rights, They Will Be Blessed”

Saif Alawady said he was drawn to the event by the banners. After talking with a practitioner, he said he was surprised by the brutality in China. “We are all human beings. I cannot imagine that why people could meet such terrible suppression because of their belief.”

He said his instinct and conscience told him to help. “Australia is a diverse nation and we have people from Arab [countries], China, and other continents. But regardless what race we are from, the government, such as our Prime Minister, should work to safeguard their basic human rights. Here we are not talking about economic benefits, we are speaking of humanity.”

Saif Alawady (in white shirt) talks with a practitioner after seeing the banners.

While signing a postcard addressed to Turnbull, Alawady said he hoped the Prime Minister would take further actions, “I think a nation, and leaders of a nation, should care about the people. When government officials focus on human rights, they will be blessed.”