(Minghui.org) Last week, Falun Gong practitioners all over the world held various events to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the peaceful resistance against the persecution, and support the recent flood of criminal complaints against Jiang Zemin, the former head of the Chinese Communist Party and the main culprit responsible for the persecution.
Events held in Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary were a part of this global effort to call for an end to the atrocities.
Rally in Vancouver
A rally was held in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery downtown on July 19. Canadian Parliament Member Peter Julian sent a letter to express his support for Falun Gong's efforts for human rights. Several democracy activists gave speeches at the rally.
Demonstrating the exercises at the rally
Many people sign the petition, condemning the brutal persecution.
Telling the public about the persecution
Sadie Kuehn, the chair of Friends of Falun Gong in British Columbia, called upon the public to stand up and help Falun Gong to end the persecution in her speech at the rally.
Eric Chen, representative of the Federation for a Democratic China in British Columbia, expressed his respect for Falun Gong practitioners for their persistent resistance. He said, “Please believe that more and more Chinese people will choose to side with you, and the communist party will be disintegrated. The future of China is bright.”
Democracy activist Li Yiping thanked Master Li Hongzhi and Falun Gong practitioners for helping Chinese people to recognize the evil nature of the communist party. “They promote the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, and offer efficient and free tools to Chinese people to break through the internet blockade. All these brave and steadfast efforts have helped Chinese people to learn the truth,” he said.
At the rally, practitioner Jing Tian announced that she joined the recent flood of lawsuits against Jiang Zemin. Ms. Jing Tian was badly tortured in labor camp and was forced to do heavy labor.
Ms. Jing Tian shares her persecution story at the rally and talks about her lawsuit against Jiang Zemin.
“It is the time to bring the major murderer to justice. It is one of the best ways to stop the persecution and to let more people know the truth. I filed a criminal complaint and sent it to Beijing on June 18,” she said.
On the second day, practitioners held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese consulate, commemorating those who were tortured to death in the persecution.
The candlelight vigil in Vancouver
Candlelight Vigil in Toronto
Like their counterparts in Vancouver, practitioners in Toronto held a candlelight vigil. They gathered in front of the Chinese consulate on July 20.
The candlelight vigil in Toronto
A practitioner (right) tells a woman about the persecution.
Judy, from the United States, said the persecution has been going on for too long, and it should be stopped right away.
Ms. Zhou from Harbin, China, took a lot of photos of the candlelight vigil. She said, “I came to Canada a year ago, and have seen a lot of Falun Gong activities. I saw the same vigil last year. It is impossible to see this inside China.”
“I took many photos last time and shared them with my friends and family in China. Some people told me not to post them [on social media]. I told them that I have nothing to fear. Falun Gong is free in Canada. They are protected.”
Ms. Zhou said, “The teaching of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance is great. I really don't understand why the government persecutes them. The government has made up a lot of lies to attack Falun Gong. The communist party is capable of all kinds of evil.”
Several other Chinese passersby stopped to to practitioners and renounced the communist party with practitioners' help.
Stephen, a Toronto resident, said he is saddened by the persecution.
“People should not be persecuted for their beliefs,” said Stephen, a Toronto resident. “Falun Gong is peaceful. In history, many great heroes have demonstrated the power of non-violence, such as Gandhi.”
“I've lived here for more than 10 years, and witnessed Falun Gong's peaceful resistance. I am touched and encouraged by them,” he said.
Rally in Calgary
The theme of the rally in Calgary on July 15 was to support the lawsuits against Jiang Zemin for launching and directing the persecution. Since late May, more than 80 thousand criminal complaints have been filed against Jiang, and the number is growing every day.
Huang Jinling (left) and Chen Guobin (right) filed the lawsuits against Jiang.
So far, four practitioners who reside in Calgary have filed lawsuits against Jiang. Two of them shared their experiences of being tortured at the rally.
Ms. Huang Jinling was arrested three times, and was jailed in brainwashing centers and sentenced to one year of labor camp. “My daughter is still being jailed in Shijiazhuang Women's Prison, and my family is not allowed to visit,” she told the audience.
Mr. Chen Guobin, an engineer, said that Falun Gong healed his epilepsy, but he was arrested for his belief in the practice. “The 610 Office in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province imprisoned me for 16 days. I was beaten there. The police extorted 30 thousand yuan from my family in exchange for my release.”
Mr. Yang Jiefu, spokesman for the Calgary Falun Dafa Association, said, “The murderers will be brought to justice. Good meets good and evil meets evil. This is a law of heaven.”
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