(Minghui.org) Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais hosted a flag-raising ceremony in front of city hall at noon on May 12, 2023 to celebrate the 31st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world.

May 13 is World Falun Dafa Day. Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a practice based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and was introduced to the public by its founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, on May 13, 1992. Today, over one hundred million people worldwide have benefited physically and mentally from practicing Falun Dafa. Falun Dafa is now practiced in over one hundred countries and regions, including Canada. Falun Dafa received hundreds of commendations and greetings from Canadian officials, including federal and provincial legislators and mayors from various cities.

The World Falun Dafa Day flag flies at Pembroke City Hall in Canada.

Mayor: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Can Guide the Development of Canada

Ron Gervais said, “At the last city council meeting, I was honored to present a proclamation that told everyone about Falun Dafa Day. I am pleased to join you today for the Falun Dafa Day flag-raising ceremony.”

Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais presides over the flag-raising ceremony in front of City Hall at noon on May 12, 2023.

The mayor thanked practitioners for telling people about Falun Dafa Day in Canada and other countries. “I didn’t know about Falun Dafa before. So I did some research. I learned that Falun Dafa changed the lives of more than 100 million people in over 100 countries, and that many people in Canada are learning this mind-cleansing practice to improve their health. They work hard to make our communities more harmonious. We really need more people to practice Falun Dafa. Falun Dafa transcends cultural and racial boundaries. We are fortunate to see people can enjoy the freedom to practice it in a free country like Canada.”

Ron Gervais said, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are most relevant to Canadian values. Even in Canada, a country that advocates freedom, there is still animosity between cultures. So we can always rely on these principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to drive and guide us in Canada. It’s a very good practice to follow these principles and thereby improve our society.”

He appreciated what Falun Dafa has done to improve people’s health. He said, “Health issues are challenging not only in Canada but around the world. I greatly appreciate people who help others improve their health physically and mentally.”

He said he admired those practitioners who persisted in their faith despite the persecution. “I want to commend those who face challenges and persecutions every day. Despite the fact that they are still being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which is frustrating, they continue to move forward following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and keep promoting those principles. Their courage set an example for everyone. There will come a day when the persecution ends so practitioners can have their freedom of belief.”

He thanked practitioners for all they had done to promote Falun Dafa Day, “Not just Falun Dafa Day, but Falun Dafa’s principles, characteristics, and goals are just wonderful. I am honored to raise the flag at City Hall so that more people can be aware of Falun Dafa. I hope more people can learn about it and further promote the wonderful work you have done. So thank you very much, practitioners.”

Mayor of Pembroke and Falun Gong practitioners on May 12, 2023.

Ms. Dai Gongyu, one coordinator of the Falun Dafa Associations of Canada, thanked the city of Pembroke for its support of Falun Dafa.

She said, “Over the past twenty-four years, practitioners in China have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed, and millions of families have suffered because of their faith. In Canada, Chinese embassies and consulates have also been interfering and harassing practitioners, and trying to prevent government officials from supporting Falun Dafa.”

“For more than twenty years, practitioners have been calling for an end to the persecution. They have also been telling people the truth about the beauty of Dafa and the persecution. We are fortunate to live in a country that encourages truthfulness and compassion and promotes a healthier and more harmonious society. We are very grateful to the Mayor of Pembroke for all he has done. It will bring blessings and good fortune to the city.”

The flag-raising ceremony in front of the city hall attracted many passersby to watch. Seventy-two year-old Rob Modobby said, “Falun Dafa has touched more Canadians because more people now need the guidance of the philosophy and principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”