[Clearwisdom.net] In order to thank people, from all circles of society, in Canada for their solid support of Falun Gong and their efforts enabling the freeing of Professor Zhang Kunlun, the Falun Dafa Association of Canada held a luncheon banquet on the 8th of February on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Six Members of Parliament supported and helped make this event possible.
Over 40 guests attended the banquet, including more than 30 Members of Parliament (MP), city councilors of Ottawa, a Chinese community leader and presidents of human rights organizations. Approximately 40 Falun Gong practitioners from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and other areas joined in this activity.
The representatives for Falun Gong practitioners and Professor Zhang Kunlun each gave a speech to express their deep appreciation to all the people who gave their long-term support.
Mr. Irwin Cotler, Liberal MP, famous Law professor and voluntary international defender for Professor Zhang Kunlun, pointed out in his speech that while he was happy for Professor Zhang's release and safe return, one thing that can't be ignored is that, "Professor Zhang shouldn't have been arrested, sentenced to forced-labor education and tortured."
Mr. Cotler stressed that Professor Zhang's release was the result of our joint efforts and he said, "In China thousands of Falun Gong practitioners are still being persecuted." At present, Mr. Cotler is working on the case of Mr. Lin Shenli, the husband of a Canadian citizen Li Jinyu in Montreal. Mr. Lin was sentenced to one and a half years of forced-labor education without any trial. Mr. Cotler asked the Prime Minister of Canada to require the release of Mr. Lin Shenli when the Prime Minister leads Team Canada Trade Mission to China.
Honorable Warren Almond, previous Cabinet President and currently the president of "Human Rights and Democracy", pointed out that he had appealed for Falun Gong last year during the UN human rights meeting and Canada should condemn China during this year's UN human rights meeting.
Mr. Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, mentioned that Team Canada Trade Mission was composed of representatives from all circles in Canada and should appeal for Falun Gong practitioners during their visit to China. Next, several MPs also delivered impromptu speeches in support of Falun Gong.
Mr. Anders, Alliance MP, held in his hand a T-shirt with the words "I support Falun Gong" and said that he was very glad to see more and more MPs and people from all walks of life supporting Falun Gong. Mr. Anders is one of the few MPs who stood up and openly supported Falun Gong from early on. When the Chinese Embassy kept writing him letters and mailed him material slandering and defaming Falun Gong, he not only wrote to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to appeal for Falun Gong, but also personally went to the Chinese Consulate to deliver his letter to them.
Mr. Raco Galiti, the lawyer for the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, pointed out that China must immediately stop interfering with peaceful Falun Gong practitioners in Canada.
Quebec MP Ms. Lalonde and New Democratic MP Robinson also gave a speech to appeal to China to stop persecuting Falun Gong.
Liberal MP Ms. Jeanings said, "What I would like to remind everyone is that the success in the rescue of Professor Zhang Kunlun is only the beginning for us in our appeal for the human rights of Falun Gong, not the end."
Alliance MP Mr. Reid said that "Zhen-Shan-Ren" (Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance) is the universal principal that our Canadian people should all cherish.
In the end, Falun Dafa practitioners said, "We greatly appreciate the recognition of Falun Gong from over 50 cities and towns in the past several weeks. When the time comes to restore the reputation of Falun Gong, people will surely see the endless virtues in all of you."
One Chinese community leader pleasantly announced the news that Friends of Falun Gong, a non-profit organization that is composed of over 80 organizations and groups, was going to be officially founded.
The luncheon proceeded in a very peaceful atmosphere.
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| Liberal MP, a famous Law professor and the international volunteer defender for Prof. Zhang Kunlun, Mr. Cotler and Prof.Zhang Kunlun | Liberal MP, a famous Law professor and the international volunteer defender for Prof. Zhang Kunlun, Mr. Cotler was giving a speech. | Previous Cabinet President and currently the President of Human Rights and Democracy", Hon. Warand Almond and Prof. Zhang Kunlun. |
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| Falun Dafa practitioners from different cities in East Canada and many guests attended the luncheon to support Falun Gong. | Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, Mr. Alex Neve and Prof. Zhang Kunlun | Mr. Raco Galiti, the lawyer of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada |
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| Quebec MP, Ms. Francine Lalonde | New Democratic MP, Mr. Robinson | Liberal MP, Ms. Marlene Jeanings |
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| Liberal MP, Mr. Scott Reid | A Journalist was interviewing Ms. Li Jinyu (Her husband - Mr. Li Shenli has been sentenced to one and half years forced labor) | Liberal MP, Mr. Plotar and Prof. Zhang |
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| Alliance MP, Mr. Rob Anders | Toronto Chinese community leader, the president of "Friends of Falun Gong", Mr. Hong Shizhong | á |
Falun Dafa practitioners in Canada
February 10, 2001
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