(Minghui.org) Practitioners from Toronto and nearby cities participated in three parades over the past weekend. The colorful costumes, float, and music performances by the Falun Gong group were well-received by the crowds.
The Falun Gong group's Divine Land Marching Band and waist drum troupe participated in all three parades, which included the Music Festival in Burlington at 11 a.m. on June 14, followed by the Flower City Parade in Brampton at 3 p.m. the same day, and the Cultural Diversity Parade in Oshawa on June 15.
The Divine Land Marching Band and waist drum group in the Music Festival in Burlington
The Divine Land Marching Band performs in the Flower City Parade in Brampton
The Divine Land Marching Band and waist drum troupe in the Cultural Diversity Parade in Oshawa
Local Residents: “I Love the Music! I Really Love Them!”
Brian, a local resident in Burlington, was impressed by practitioners’ performance. He said, “It is amazing! We have the waist drum troupe in the front and the marching band in the back. They brought a complete show here.” He said he had seen Falun Gong in parades several years ago and was impressed.
“I have been to China before and I know Falun Gong is banned there. That is wrong and any type of persecution needs to stop.” Brian has lived in Burlington for 71 years. “Falun Gong should have freedom everywhere, just like here,” he said.
A couple, Maria and Allen, also applauded the Falun Gong procession. “Look at the music, color, and costumes...so beautiful and harmonious! The layout is also great,” said Allen. “Thank you for bringing such a wonderful performance to this city.”
Maria and Allen enjoyed the Falun Gong group's performance
Maria was curious to know more about Falun Gong. She said, “I have seen them many times, and I want to know more about the practice.” She was delighted when a practitioner from the procession gave her a Falun Gong pamphlet. “I will definitely check it out,” she said.
Arthur, security staff at the parade, dances to the Divine Land Marching Band’s music
A security staff member for the parade, Arthur, could not help dancing to the Divine Land Marching Band’s music. “I love the music! I really love them!” He said the performance gave him energy and he hoped the practitioners could come to the parade every year.
New Immigrants: “Can I Join?”
Ms. Li and her husband immigrated from Shandong Province in China. Ms. Li said, “I am so glad to see such a wonderful Falun Gong performance here today. This is something unimaginable back in China.” When noticing some elderly practitioners in the waist drum group, she became excited and asked a practitioner, “I used to play the waist drum. Can I join this group?”
When the practitioner told her they welcome people to join, Ms. Li was overjoyed, “Thank you, thank you!”
Ms. Yuan from northeast China was watching the parade with her children. “I came here more than 10 years ago. The performance by the Falun Gong group is very powerful.” When asked if she would like to join the movement to quit the CCP (the Chinese Communist Party) and its affiliated organizations, she immediately agreed.
Not far away from Ms. Yuan were Ms. Sun and her son. Ms. Sun said she had lived here for five years and was happy to see the Falun Gong performances every year. She not only agreed to quit the CCP, but also wanted to learn Falun Gong, “I heard there is a practice site near my home. I will go there when I have time.”
Visitors: “Today Is a Meaningful Day for Me”
Three Japanese businessmen attended the Burlington parade. They said they enjoyed the music by the Divine Land Marching Band and chatted with practitioners about the popularity of Falun Gong around the world, including Japan.
Ms. Wang had just arrived in Toronto from China on June 13. The next day, she and her friend drove one hour to see the parade in Brampton. She said, “Seeing such a great performance, while knowing that so many Falun Gong practitioners are being mistreated in China, I was moved to tears.”
“Today is a meaningful day for me,” said Ms. Wang.
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