(Minghui.org) May 13 marks the 32nd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public in 1992 and the 25th World Falun Dafa Day. Eleven cities and towns in Canada held flag-raising ceremonies to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, and 104 proclamations and congratulatory letters were received from elected Canadian officials.
The greetings thanked Master Li and Falun Dafa for the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance as well as the positive impact on society. They praised the practitioners for their courage and determination in safeguarding their faith during the harsh persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the past 25 years.
(Continued from Part 1)
From April 29 to May 13, 11 Canadian towns from east to west celebrated Falun Dafa Day by raising Falun Dafa Day flags, including Barrie, Brighton, Amherstbury, Orillia, Orangeville, Scugog, Brock, Cambridge, City of Cornwall, Saskatoon, and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Mayors also issued proclamations for Falun Dafa and declared Falun Dafa Day.
Flag-raising in Saskatoon. The Falun Dafa Day flag flew for eight days.
On May 1, the city of Saskatoon, Canada, declared Falun Dafa Day and raised the flag, which flew for eight days. Saskatoon is the largest city in Saskatchewan Province. The city has held a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day for three years in a row.
Justin Towndale, Mayor of the City of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, presided over a flag-raising ceremony in front of City Hall.
Mayor Towndale said that the principles of Falun Dafa—Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—are solid virtues that can be applied to daily life and that everyone should follow them. He expressed his hope that these virtues will become a focus in the community and will be passed on to the next generation.
A flag was raised by Mayor Nuttall for World Falun Dafa Day.
Alex Nuttall, the mayor of Barrie, presided over the flag-raising ceremony in front of City Hall at 1 p.m. and gave a speech. He said he believes the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are very important for our society and are more precious than ever, and that if more people recognize them, it will benefit our society in the long run.
Mayor Michael Prue of Amherstbury said that this small corner of Ontario would not forget Falun Dafa and the persecution in China. He hopes that, one day, Falun Dafa will return to its birthplace, China.
Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander (first from left) personally raised the World Falun Dafa Day flag.
Brian Ostrander, mayor of Brighton, said at the flag-raising ceremony, “As we raise this flag, let us celebrate the principles of Falun Dafa and the contributions of its practitioners to our community. May this flag become a symbol of cohesion, understanding, and friendship. We stand with all those who resonate with it.
Orangeville Mayor Lisa Post (center) and Councilwoman Debbie Sherwood (second from right) participate in the flag-raising ceremony.
Orangeville Mayor Lisa Post said that it was important to spread the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
Ten government officials, including Mayor Walter Schummer (third from left), celebrate Falun Dafa Day with practitioners.
On May 10 at 9 a.m., the City of Brock held a flag-raising ceremony. Ten government officials, including Mayor Walter Schummer, celebrated this moment with practitioners and proclaimed May 13, 2024, as Falun Dafa Day.
Brock Mayor Walter Schummer praised the principles of Falun Dafa and said it was an honor to raise the Falun Dafa Day flag.
Mayor Schummer said, “More than 80 countries celebrate Falun Dafa Day and promote the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Falun Dafa practitioners bring traditional Chinese culture and values into their practice and meditation, helping many people improve their moral and physical health, contributing to a healthier and more harmonious society. Thank you for including the Township of Brock in your celebrations. We are honored to raise the Falun Dafa Day flag and celebrate May 13th as Falun Dafa Day in Brock.”
In addition to raising flags, mayors of several cities issued commendations and proclaimed Falun Dafa Day, such as London, North Bay, Port Coquitlam, Kelowna, Duncan, Nanaimo, and Ottawa, the nation’s capital.
(To be continued)