(Minghui.org) More than 134,000 criminal complaints have been filed as of August 6 against former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin for his role in the brutal persecution of Falun Gong. The surge of criminal complaints has attracted much attention both inside China and overseas. A large rally and march was held in Toronto on August 8 to draw broader awareness of this historic happening.
Stepping off from Clarence Square Park in downtown Toronto, the march wound through Chinatown, along University Avenue, then back through Chinatown, finally returning to Clarence Square Park.
The Divine Land Marching Band leads the march through downtown Toronto on August 8, 2015.
“Anyone Who Commits Crimes Needs to Be Held Responsible”
Wendy and Paul Leung, from Texas, said they were glad to see the march.
Wendy and Paul Leung, a couple from Texas visiting Toronto for a conference, said that they knew about Falun Gong and the persecution. “I am glad to see the march today,” Paul said. “I hope more people will bring lawsuits against Jiang. In fact, I hope the entire world learns about this. After all, anyone who commits crimes needs to be held responsible.”
Sara Vicedomini from Italy and Samuel Roudbar from Belgium were traveling in Canada with friends and took in the march. “Jiang is really bad,” said Samuel, pointing to a poster that illustrated torture methods applied to Falun Gong practitioners. “He must be punished!”
“It's all about communism—as long as communism exists in China, people will not have freedom over there,” added Sara.
A banner in the march worded “Jiang Zemin is the key perpetrator who persecutes Falun Gong.”
“It's Wrong to Persecute Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance”
Ruth Rodney, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toronto, said that the Chinese regime should not suppress different opinions – “especially for such a peaceful meditation group like Falun Gong. It's wrong to persecute Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” She said that she appreciated learning more about Falun Gong and gaining information about the persecution taking place in China.
Ruth Rodney (right) is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Toronto.
Jeff, who watched the parade in front of a hotel, said he learned many things from the march. “At first I thought it was a celebration. Later I realized that it was a protest against communist brutality in China.” He was shocked by the atrocity of forced organ harvesting from living prisoners of conscience, and felt sorry for Chinese people who live under the communist regime in China.
Jeff indicated that he found the march to be very informative. “The more people know about this, the sooner these criminals will be brought to justice,” he said. Jeff is very interested in the peaceful meditation practice of Falun Gong. “I will also do my best to support you and stop the suppression,” he added.
Another spectator, Jennifer said that a friend in California had called her the day before and talked to her about Falun Gong. “And today I see this march and received these materials from you!” She thanked a practitioner and added, “It all came together like a gift from an angel. Thank you so much for doing this!”
A banner emblazoned with “Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance” in Chinese and English.
Chinese Visitor: Chinese Were Misled by the Propaganda
Ms. Li from Shanghai and her 10-year-old grandson were among the crowd watching the march. “Look here,” she told her grandson, pointing to a banner. “It says 'Please separate Chinese communism from China.' This is very true. Many people in China were mislead by the TV and newspaper media reports [about Falun Gong].”
In Toronto just two months, Ms. Li said she heard about the march from her neighbor. “We saw the posters and banners about suing Jiang Zemin. It's very encouraging and I support it.”
Ms. Li was in tears when she saw the poster illustrating torture methods applied to detained practitioners in China. “I know lots of Falun Gong practitioners and they are good people. Glad to see such a grand march today. I am very moved and I am proud of you.”
“It [Chinese Communism] Always Harms People”
Another visitor, Ms. Chen, said she arrived in Toronto less than two weeks ago. Excited by the march, especially the Divine Land Marching Band, Ms. Chen said, “This is so beautiful and outstanding. It's definitely something we cannot see back in China.”
Speaking of the suppression of Falun Gong in China, Ms. Chen said that it was not accidental. “We all know that the Chinese communist government is a totalitarian regime. It always harms people at will, very different from here in Western society.”
When asked if she had quit the Chinese communist organizations and separated herself from the regime, Ms. Chen said that her son's in-laws had done that for her. She then said, “I will take lots of photos today and pass them on to my friends back in China.”
Spectators watching the march.
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Category: Rallies & Protests
