(Minghui.org) “Fantastic! Very impressive!” exclaimed John, a coordinator for the Santa Claus Parade in Georgetown, Ontario, commenting on the performance of the Toronto Divine Land Marching Band. Many other parade organizers throughout North America share the same view, which is why the band is invited back year after year.
Following the November 14 Santa Claus Parades in Niagara Falls and London, the Toronto Divine Land Marching Band, composed entirely of Falun Gong practitioners, received invitations from four other cities for November 21 parades. Unable to participate in four parades in one day, the band went to two cities—Hamilton and Georgetown, while the Toronto Waist Drum Team, also composed of Falun Gong practitioners, went to Kitchener and Brampton, Ontario.
The Toronto Divine Land Marching Band participates in the Santa Claus Parade in Hamilton, Ontario on November 21, 2015.
The Divine Land Marching Band participates in the Georgetown Santa Claus Parade on November 21, 2015.
The Toronto Waist Drum Team was warmly received at the Santa Claus Parade in Brampton on November 21.
“We Invite Them Every Year Because They Are So Well Received”
Zeda Stickland, coordinator of the bands for the Hamilton Santa Claus parade.
“I'm always very glad to see them [the Divine Land Marching Band] coming,” said Zeda Stickland, coordinator of the bands for the Santa Claus Parade in Hamilton. “We've invited them for the past several years because they are so well received.”
John, a coordinator for the Georgetown Santa Claus parade.
“This is the first time we've invited the Toronto Divine Land Marching Band to participate in our Santa Claus Parade,” said John, a coordinator for the Georgetown Santa Claus Parade. “We saw videos of their performances online. Very impressive! Now that we see them live, they are indeed fantastic and very impressive! We hope they will come every year.”
“They Are the Best!”
“Awesome! Excellent! Good job! Very very nice!” exclaimed Mark, a Georgetown resident, as he talked about the Divine Land Marching Band with a reporter.
“I know about Falun Gong, they don't have freedom and are being persecuted in China,” he continued. “It's good that they come to different communities to display their good demeanor this way, showing people what kind of people they are and that they are living a wonderful life everywhere around the world but China. They are striving for human rights in China.”
Mark added, “They are doing a good job. I support their efforts to work for human rights and freedom!”
Mark and his family watching the Santa Claus Parade in Georgetown.
“They are the best in the whole parade!” said Diana (2nd from the left) who watched the parade with her friends and family.
Adela Campello, a teacher from Hamilton said, the “Divine Land Marching Band is the best of all each year! I come to watch them every year!”
“I Believe One Day They Will Enjoy Freedom Wherever They Are”
Bonnie, a staff person for the parade, danced with her friends to the music performed by the Divine Land Marching Band. “Very enjoyable, and we welcome such an inspiring band!” said Bonnie. Upon hearing that such a wonderful group of people is being persecuted in China, she said, “I'll pray for them, I believe one day they will be free wherever they are. I look forward to it!”
Ms. Roscmareon Kristiansen from Hamilton watched the parade with her grandson. She told the reporter that she had traveled to China, and had learned that Falun Gong practitioners cannot freely practice there and are being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in China.
“I'm glad to see that they can freely express themselves in Canada. Everyone has freedom of belief and should have freedom to practice Falun Gong,” said Ms. Kristiansen.
The Toronto Waist Drum Team performing in the Santa Claus Parade in Kitchener on November 21, 2015.
Chinese Spectators Glad to See Falun Gong
Among the Chinese parade spectators, some already knew about Falun Gong and the persecution because they have family members and friends who practice Falun Gong in China. They were exited to see practitioners marching in the parades. “Wonderful! Wonderful!” several kept saying. They were also eager to take informational materials from practitioners to learn more about Falun Gong.
A number of Chinese spectators had an opportunity to talk to practitioners and learn about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Many renounced their membership in the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
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