As a Golden Dragon Winds Through Melbourne, a Message Against a 27-Year Persecution Follows

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MELBOURNE, Australia—A colourful procession weaved its way through Melbourne’s streets on Oct. 23, comprising hundreds of Australians from around the country celebrating thousands of years of divinely-inspired culture.

Their message was one of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—principles that Falun Gong practitioners continue to uphold in the face of the Chinese Communist Party’s brutal persecution launched in 1999.

The 90-minute parade started at Treasury Gardens, passed Victoria’s Parliament House and Chinatown, and proceeded along the busy Collins Street precinct before returning to its starting point—drawing the attention of onlookers, many of whom stopped to film with their phones.

Passersby watch the parade proceeding through Melbourne’s CBD, on Oct. 23, 2026. (Grace Yu/The Epoch Times)

Led by the Celestial Marching Band, the parade stretched hundreds of metres, with some holding banners exposing the persecution in China and others explaining the ancient principles of cultivation or self improvement.

A golden coloured dragon entertained the crowd, while some elegantly donned centuries-old Chinese or Vietnamese dress. One section performed with waist drums strapped to their bodies, an instrument with roots in China’s ancient Shaanxi Province.

Falun Dafa practitioners from across Australia take part in a parade in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 23, 2026. (Tien Nguyen/The Epoch Times)

A 27 Year Persecution

Following its introduction to the public in 1992, Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, quickly became popular in China, with practitioners citing health and moral benefits.

By 1999, official estimates from the CCP revealed that the practice attracted around 70-100 million adherents across China.

Falun Dafa’s growing popularity drew the attention of the CCP leadership, which sought to maintain strict control over public movements and reinforce the party’s ideological influence.

In July 1999, then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin officially launched the persecution against Falun Dafa with the aim of eradicating the practice.

As a result, millions of practitioners faced arbitrary detention, torture, and other forms of inhumane treatment, including forced organ harvesting.

Passersby Resonate With Message

Marty Blaxcell, a CBD worker, was attracted by the marching band’s music. He praised the efforts of practitioners in raising awareness about the persecution.

“I think it’s great. It’s good that people are focused on these important issues,” Blaxcell told The Epoch Times.

“I’m from a free nation, and I’m against those sorts of behaviours.”

Marty Blaxcell watches the Falun Dafa parade in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 23, 2026. (Freya Shen/The Epoch Times)

Meanwhile, Kirianna Faleao Iriannakay was surprised by the diversity of participants.

She said it felt “surreal and different” to learn about the persecution occurring today in China.

“It’s been quite good that they’re spreading awareness about it [the persecution], especially making it a really big issue,” she said.

Kirianna Faleao Iriannakay (R) watches the Falun Dafa parade in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 23, 2026. (Freya Shen/The Epoch Times)

According to Minghui.org, an information portal for Falun Dafa, at least 5,376 deaths linked to the persecution have been confirmed, although the actual toll is likely to be much higher.

The persecution is not contained within China either, overseas practitioners have reported threats, harassment, and assaults by individuals allegedly linked to the communist regime.

Earlier this year, bomb threats were made in Australia against the prime minister and senior officials, with the perpetrators demanding that the government stop performances of the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Shen Yun is a classical Chinese dance and music company whose members include Falun Dafa practitioners.

What Australians Need to Know

Courtney Higgins flew from Perth to Melbourne to attend the parade.

“The parade is especially important for us to share with society what Falun Dafa is and the principles of ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,’ and also for us to let everybody know ... about the issues in China,” she told The Epoch Times.

Higgins has practiced Falun Dafa since 2019 and previously worked in administration and landscaping.

Courtney Higgins, a Falun Dafa practitioner from Perth, attends the parade in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 23, 2026. (Freya Shen/The Epoch Times)

Cairns resident Janine Rankin, a hairdresser and long-time Falun Dafa practitioner, also travelled to Melbourne for the event.

“The parade can have a very profound impact on people, and it really touches people’s hearts when the practitioners play music as they march,” she told The Epoch Times.

Rankin began practicing Falun Dafa in 1999 and witnessed the persecution in China unfold.

“I had only been practicing for three months when the CCP began the persecution. As a Westerner, I really find it hard to understand why this is happening, and I have never experienced anything like this before,” she said.

Janine Rankin, a Falun Dafa practitioner from Cairns, attends the parade in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 23, 2026.

“I have also met many practitioners from mainland China and understand the various forms of persecution they have suffered. The CCP’s actions are truly unbelievable, and many Australians are unaware of these things,” she added.

“It’s really important to help people understand the truth about the CCP’s organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners. This isn’t just for us, but for the whole world. We hope more people will understand this so that everyone can lend a helping hand in their own way.”