by M. L., Sydney, Australia
I have been a resident of Australia for 35 years and it never crossed my mind that I would encounter the situation I faced on Friday the 12th of October 2012 at Lennox Head Community Centre at a presentation put on by Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon.
I thought that the times of persecution, which I experienced in the past, the injustice, ambush, attacks and the lack of respect for people’s rights were over, but I faced it again on Friday night.
The experience brought back terrible memories of what happened from the military oppression to my family, my friends and many people in South America where I come from.
A peaceful meeting of people was disrupted by Dr David Millikan. His manner was aggressive and intimidating and showed his desire to dominate the group and control the meeting. He was offered the stage by Serge Benhayon after requesting to ask the audience some questions, but instead hijacked the whole meeting.
Previously hidden small hand-held cameras were thrust in our faces with no respect and without permission, the rest of his crew were banging on the doors in an intimidating manner trying to get in from the back of the hall, as large commercial cameramen were then trying to enter the premises from the front. This assault by television media on a group of people who were merely in attendance to hear a presentation on Esoteric Medicine, was calculated and vicious.
Where are our rights here?… It seems that Australia is changing, but not for the better.
The Truth about Universal Medicine 
‘Where are our rights here?’ Great question M.L. and in this instance sadly they were being trampled, and to see this happening in a so called ‘enlightened’ democracy is scary and exposes how in fact despite the veneer of respectability shown in many of our societies, there is a beast of power and corruption we need to tackle, to root out any bullying, any disparaging of the rights of others, to ensure that everyone has a right to free assembly and to be heard. We have a way to go.
It feels to me that the media will stop at nothing in order to get the story they want, completely disrespecting people, their choices and most of all not having any respect for the truth.
When there is an agenda to be achieved considering others and how they may be impacted is ignored or dismissed. It shows how deeply sensitive we ought to be with each other, as a situation a hand can trigger different things for different people…
Thank you for sharing this ML. Humanity needs to know how the media goes about meeting the demand for sensationalism in its name.
This shows the understanding and care we need to bring to each other because you just aren’t always aware up front of what people have faced or been through in their lives. I would imagine something like this would trigger many things and it’s something we don’t consider when we walk into a room let alone when something happens in this way. Above all else the importance or the deep care we should hold is that no matter what the headline or agenda there are people. It would seem from how this night went and the articles and comments written later that this was thrown out the window by those that instigated this stunt. Today reading this I will take more awareness in how I am with people, not to excuse or diminish from what was done but to lead the way in how it should have been done and trusting that in the future there is a possibility that it will change.
You do not need permission to video someone in this country, it is not against the law but ethically speaking what occurred on Friday in 2012 was wrong on many levels. It was a strange thing to witness; it’s almost like throwing something in someone’s hand in a local shopping mall and then pulling out a camera and screaming in their face that they are a thief. It is a complete and utter violation, not to mention misleading. It was not something you can fully understand until you experience it.
The media reflects the majority desire for sensationalism over truth.
It is very degrading to be treated the way the media approached in this instance, but I find it interesting that it parralels with other equally as disgusting events in our world. The reality is this behavior is rampant in our world and all of us are responsible. Responsible for either seeing and talking about and exposing it, or closing our eyes and saying nothing.
I can still feel how my rights were invaded that evening and how I responded. I saw those people in the audience who were soon to be the hidden cameras. They did not feel right. Now, I am forever discerning to my feelings and responsible for my actions to the best of my ability.
It seems the media in this case has forgotten how to conduct their work with respect and integrity. From what you’ve shared it sounds like they were using a bullying energy to get what they want, instead of approaching the audience with a more gentle way, they left many people very distraught. This way of approaching people doesn’t support anyone.
ML your writing has reminded me that whilst we may think that we are clear about the actions we are going to take. But how important to consider what the effect of these actions are going to be on others. Do the actions serve everyone equally in a manner that is respectful and considerate as a minimum? In what you have presented, considering your history, it is clear that there was no consideration given to others as a result of these actions.
Yes the level of respect and common decency seems to be lacking with some of the Media and their aggressive approach and manipulative tactics are shocking to read about. Is it possible our silence has added to this abuse and allowed it to continue like an out-of-control teenager?
Aggression and intimidation are both forms of abuse, nothing more, nothing less.
It is deeply concerning to hear that some of the media tactics in Australia could be likened to the military oppression of South America. It is appalling the abuse that some are willing to inflict on others just to achieve their own agenda. Clearly we have a long way to go in our treatment of each other.
I agree Samantha, it is atrocious how this media team have behaved during this meeting. It is pretty scary to think that they could be like this in other situations, leaving people feeling very disturbed, upset and even shaken. How can this support people to share the truth of their story if fear and intimidation was struck at them?
It is quite shocking to read about what you experienced at the hands of David Millikin and his crew. If this could happen to you in Australia it could happen to anyone. Television media in particular has been ‘egged on’ by viewers to get the most sensational story even though most people can see it is a beat up from a mile away. Enough is enough. We are all responsible for the state of the media today.
Indeed where are our rights? The media should be held accountable for this type of intimidating behaviour and perhaps it’s time they were put under the microscope.
“I thought that the times of persecution, which I experienced in the past, the injustice, ambush, attacks and the lack of respect for people’s rights were over, but I faced it again on Friday night.” In a democracy such things should never occur. Having been invited – under false pretences as it turns out – Millikan abused his position. Where is the integrity in this? It is no wonder religion gets such a bad press.
The fact that Serge Benhayon welcomed Mr Millikan on stage to ask questions, just confirms Serge Benhayon’s openness. Serge is an absolute gentleman and Universal Medicine DO NOT deserve to be attacked at all.
What happened here is totally wrong and and whilst this may not be a legal indictment it is in my view a crime against very innocent and decent people. And even bigger than that David Millikan and his teams actions in my view are saying that people all over the world do not have a right to choose where they want to be and what they want to do. The very thing that is wrong with this world.
Completely out of this world!
Wrong on many levels.
Your sharing of this night ML on a group of innocent people enjoying a presentation on health and well-being and how David Millikan hijacked the event is not only disturbing for all who attended but an abusive attack by the media hungry for a sensationalist story.
It’s quite exposing of a society that may claim to be this and that – better than other places in the world because they may not have oppression in such a way as another place. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that oppression is still legal in another / many other ways.
It seems that when truth starts to heal, so too does the opposing forces harm, that have successfully kept it oppressed for thousands of years. This era is different to many before, in that human rights and associated frameworks are a little bit more robust than in centuries gone by. May we continue to strengthen these, rather than let them slide back down.
I wasn’t there on the night and I can only get a sense of how outraged and traumatised those present must have felt being subject to such an assault. What perpetuates the injuries is that I believe some of the events that were filmed went to air on television. Not a drop of respect and justice was shown for those concerned. Thank you M.L. and others for standing up to these bullies through your blogs.
M.L. I must confess, I cannot but feel relieved that I was not there that night. No one should have to experience what you and others present experienced that evening! It definately shows that we are way overdue in standing up and saying ‘no’ to the many and varied forms of bullying present in our society.
A great point made in this blog here that David Millikan’s conduct in cahoots with sensationalistic media resembles an oppressive military regime silencing any opposition or peaceful gathering that we have come to read about and be shocked about in some countries in the world where human rights are ignored and dictatorships rule. Australia calls itself the ‘lucky country’ presumably because it believes it enjoys relative religious and political freedoms, but this incident makes me wonder just how free are we?
I was not at that meeting ML, when the event you speak of happened but I was at the event the next day in Lennox Head. I was absolutely shocked to hear what the Students and Serge Benhayon had to go through the night before. Many who had been there were visibly shaken by this horrific event and I like many, could not believe that this was happening in Australia. There was a sense of watchfulness and unease in the Hall the next day. Are Journalists the new Mafia?
M.L. the situation you describe is truly unbelievable in the sense it is hard to fathom that this type of behaviour can be an acceptable form of journalism. To me it has more the feel of interrogation and a modern day witch hunt in which everyone is deemed guilty without any form of opportunity for the truth to be expressed. What I love is the fact that since this has occurred the number of people who have stood firmly in their truth and begun to express has increased daily, it shows that we are no longer going to silently stand by and allow such behaviours to continue. Thank you for sharing your experience and saying no to journalism without integrity.
The behaviour of Millikan and the media crew was incredibly disturbing for all involved. There was no doubt it was a pre-meditated attack laced with the intention to incite reactions for good footage that could be then manipulated to suit a skewed agenda. A sad state of affairs indeed.
It was inexcusable behaviour from the film crew and Millikan that night, I absolutely agree M.L.
Also attending that night I felt the intrusive energy of Millikan and crew. The next day he returned and was met by several students experienced in security work. He wanted follow-up pictures to add to the photos he had taken the night before. He was told by the students that he was not welcome. Thanks to the presentations of love and true religion by Serge Benhayon, David Millikan and crew were met with that love and respect that everyone deserves.
In reading this blog I feel how much Milikan disrespected those that were there at the Lennox Head Community Centre and the aggression/domination that he appeared to display over the audience is despicable. This aggression and domination as well as much conflict seems to be occurring in so many places all over the world.
Well said Tim. Freedom of speech in our society is vital for the expression of truth. However, it can be absolutely destructive when it’s abused.
Yes, There is something very wrong with this man, David Millikan’s behavior and intention.
Coming from South America and having lived under brutal dictatorships as well, I can only understand where your comment comes from. The fact that this happened in Australia only shows two things: 1. we are talking about an energy expressed through Milikan that knows no boundaries, and 2. the fact that the protection of fundamental rights in Australia is not as strong as it could be and should be. So, there is work to be done there in regard to this.
Yes how sad that this still goes on in the world. The way some people treat others is still not acceptable at times and I look forward to when people can honour and respect each other and not make some thing entirely about them self.
Thank you for sharing so poignantly how David Millikan’s actions brought back such terrible memories of the persecution you experienced in South America. This paints such a clear picture of what it must have been like to be there and is truly shocking that this can happen and that the people who carried out this act of betrayal have not yet been held to account.