(Minghui.org) Practitioners gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on May 2 to celebrate the 34th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction as well as the 27th World Falun Dafa Day. Tourists and local residents applauded the Tian Guo Marching Band’s and waist drum team’s performances.
Some people said they liked the words on the banners: “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.” Many people took pictures and some talked with practitioners and said they wanted to learn about Falun Dafa.
A World Falun Dafa Day celebration was held in Vancouver on May 2.
Rally in downtown Vancouver
One of the day’s event was a parade that started at noon near the Vancouver Art Gallery and wound through Vancouver’s business streets. Led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, practitioners carried banners with information about Falun Dafa and demonstrated the exercises.
People learn about Falun Dafa and signed petitions to end the persecution.
Medical Professional Praises Falun Dafa
Narcis, who works at a hospital, was interested in hearing about Falun Dafa. She even walked with the parade to learn more about the practice.
She said Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are very important: “Our society really needs them. I also like the practice since it seems to improve health and relieve pressure.” She said she would look into Falun Dafa and learn more.
Visitor from Victoria: Opposing Suppression by the CCP
Colin from Victoria said he did know about Falun Dafa. He was impressed by the practitioners’ event and said the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution was concerning. He said he’d heard about it several years ago.
Colin was surprised to learn that the persecution is still going on. He said the Party’s human rights abuses were appalling. “I heard the CCP not only suppresses Falun Dafa, but also mistreats Tibetan and other minority groups,” he continued. “Communism is horrible. I’m glad to see your parade and I am happy that, in Canada, we have freedom of belief and freedom of speech.”
The CCP’s Infiltration Is Alarming
Ying from Taiwan was visiting Vancouver and said the practitioners’ event was well organized. She’d read about Falun Dafa in the past and said she admired practitioners for their resilience despite the CCP’s suppression.
She said she was aware of the CCP’s infiltration including in Taiwan, so she was worried about practitioners’ safety. “The CCP spies on activities, and their agents photograph people. They do this in many countries,” she said.
She was glad practitioners were courageous and voiced their opinions in public despite the CCP’s pressure. “I am fearful, too, so I think Falun Dafa practitioners’ activities are awesome. I need to learn from them,” she added.
Ying’s friend said she’d lived in China for six years and she knew it was dangerous. “The CCP arrests Falun Dafa practitioners and sells their organs for transplants,” she said. “I feel sorry for those innocent practitioners because they just want to improve their minds and bodies.”
Passersby Praises Falun Dafa’s Values
Gordon Freeman, who lives in Vancouver, was impressed by the event. “I’ve seen Shen Yun and I like Falun Dafa’s values,” he said, pointing to the banners in the parade.
“I think both human rights and the freedom of speech are important. Some people and some governments want to take these away, and we have to stop them,” he continued.
Freeman said the waist drum performance was unique in both their costumes and their music. He felt it was wonderful to celebrate World Falun Dafa by holding a parade, “I really like this marching band, because this is how we celebrate things in Canada,” he added.
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