(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from eastern Canada gathered in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 10, 2022, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. The celebrations included demonstrating the exercises, singing, dancing, and holding a parade. Nine federal MPs joined the practitioners to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
The peaceful and joyful scenes attracted many tourists and passersby to stop and watch. Some praised practitioners as the most peaceful crowd in the world. Others listened attentively to practitioners introducing Falun Dafa to them. Some thanked practitioners for bringing wonderful information. Others were glad and said that they found what they had been searching for, and some condemned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Practitioners do the Falun Dafa exercises.
Practitioners sang and danced to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day
Canadian national television Global TV reported the event
People came to learn about Falun Dafa
A private police officer from Vancouver (right) had a long conversation with a practitioner at the event.
A gentleman from Vancouver talked to a practitioner for a long time. He said that he is a private police officer and knew about Falun Dafa. He understood that it is a peaceful movement and he supported practitioners in their efforts to resist persecution. He also disclosed how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) infiltrated the police in Vancouver.
He pointed to practitioners and said, “Look at this peaceful crowd. Do they need to be watched by so many police officers? The most peaceful crowd in the world don’t need police.”
Jill and Tony from Britain are touring Canada
Jill and Tony are a British couple traveling in Canada. After listening to a practitioner tell her about Falun Dafa, Jill said, “This is the first time I’ve heard about Falun Dafa. When my husband and I saw this scene of practitioners doing the exercises together, we felt it was so magnificent.”
Jill said that she was very interested in Falun Dafa. But she might not necessarily have time to complete 5 sets of exercises every day because her schedule was tight. The practitioner told her that practicing exercises is flexible and she can practice according to her own schedule. Jill said, “Then I must visit Falun Dafa’s website when I go back.”
Jill and Tony said that they were very happy to see the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction.
Tom, who draws comic strips as a profession, was attracted by the scene. “I think this scene is calm, beautiful, attractive and it is great!” Tom said, “And I think you wearing yellow clothes really got people’s attention. I saw you guys in yellow when I was in the city, and I’ve been following you because I want to know what’s going on.”
“A practitioner briefed me on the situation and I got some brochures as well,” he continued, “I hope that you will get the media’s attention, because in my opinion, the media is very biased under the current situation in Canada, and I want to see the media pay attention to you. But I think it’s important to remember that even just one person speaking out can have a big impact. So this way of expression is great.”
Tom said now that he understood the situation, he would tell others. “And I want to take some time to help and support you because what you’re doing today is really great. I really want to join you. I know there is information about free teachings on the brochure. I definitely will try it out. Thank you so much!” He took photos of all the informational display boards before leaving.
Reggi and Gladys, a couple from the United States
Reggi and Gladys, a husband and wife from the U.S., were visiting Canada. When they saw the practitioners’ parade, they couldn’t help but stop to watch. A practitioner told them that the parade was held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. The couple said happily, “We are so honored to see such a good parade when we travel to Canada!”
The practitioner gave the couple an introduction to Falun Dafa. Gladys said that she knew that exercising was good for her health and that she would visit Falun Dafa’s website and try it out when she went back home.
Jason is a coffee shop owner. When he saw the parade, he took out his phone and recorded the music that the Tian Guo Marching Band played.
He told a practitioner, “I practice qigong myself, so I knew about Falun Dafa many years ago. I have a basic understanding of its principles. I also know about the persecution happening to practitioners. I support what you are doing. I will post the video of the parade on my social media.”
Office clerk Nancy agrees with Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance
Nancy stopped to watch the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performance. She took the information about Falun Dafa that a practitioner handed her and said, “This is the first time I have heard about Falun Dafa and the first time I have heard the music they play. But when I heard it, I felt as if I know this music and as if I had heard it somewhere before. The parade is really beautiful.”
A practitioner introduced Falun Dafa to her and explained that those who practice it are guided by Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Nancy said, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is so right and so great.” She particularly praised Forbearance. She said to a practitioner, “I will visit the Falun Dafa website as soon as I return to the office, and I will learn more about it.”
Joe, a taxi driver, praised Falun Dafa as a very peaceful practice
Joe is a taxi driver in Ottawa. He saw a large number of practitioners gathering in front of Parliament Hill. He said to a practitioner who brought him informational materials, “I have seen Falun Dafa practitioners practicing the exercises. I feel it’s a very peaceful way of cultivation.”
He said that he knew something about the CCP’s persecution of practitioners, “I think it is very important for you to clarify the truth to more people in this way. Let more people know about this persecution. The CCP’s persecution of practitioners was not a short duration of time. This is very unfair. Everyone should have the freedom to practice their belief.”
Andy, a Taiwanese immigrant working in Ottawa, was amazed when he heard the performance by the Tian Guo Marching Band. He said that he saw many practitioners doing the exercises after he came overseas and also saw their informational display boards.
A practitioner explained that this is a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and that Dafa was first brought to the public in China in 1992. That hundreds of millions of people practiced Falun Dafa by 1999 when the CCP started the persecution. Andy said, “The CCP just feared that so many people practice Falun Dafa.”
Andy signed the petition against organ harvesting and said, “This persecution is really cruel. Practitioners overseas need to speak up for those who are still being persecuted in China, and let more people know about it.” He wished practitioners success before he left.
Mr. Saeid who lives in Canada studied in China for eight years. “I studied a law-related major in China, where I know it is really ‘saying one thing and doing another’.” Mr. Saeid said, “The law is completely inconsistent with the actual actions. It is true that there is no freedom of belief there, and various free social media are all banned. I think everyone should have the freedom to practice their belief.”
He said that he heard something about the persecution, “But I didn’t hear about it at all when I was in China.”
He took a photo of the display board that has information about the CCP’s organ harvesting from live practitioners. He said, “I want to send this photo to my friends in China.”
Mr. Saeid watched practitioners finish doing the exercises and then left.
Ms. Sun moved to Canada in 1999. She accompanied her friend, a Falun Dafa practitioner from Toronto, and attended the event. “I’ve seen a lot of pictures of practitioners assembling in front of Parliament Hill before.” Ms. Sun said, “I think it is very grand and spectacular. So this time I came here with my practitioner friend.”
“I have known about Falun Dafa for so many years.” Ms. Sun continued, “I think Falun Dafa is the hope of China and the hope of the world. That’s just how I feel.”
Josee thanked practitioners for introducing Falun Dafa to her
Josee is a farm owner from a small town. She is grateful that practitioners told her about Falun Dafa. She said excitedly, “I am very happy because I think this may be indeed what I should try. A lot of people have felt panic since the virus spread around the world, and seem to be looking for something to get rid of the pandemic. I think I found it today. So thank you very much. I know I can learn it online, and I can learn it for free. It’s great.”
Mary, a financial assistant stopped to talk with practitioners for a long time
Mary, a financial assistant, was attracted by the scene and stopped to talk to practitioners for a long time. She said, “I was attracted by a powerful energy when I passed by here. I am very grateful that practitioners gave me a lot of information about Falun Dafa. I also learned that there are online teaching classes. I will try it. This practice looks very calm and amazing.”