News Conference Conducted in Toronto to Draw IOC's Attention on China's Persecution against Falun Dafa

[Toronto] March 10, 2001 ?Supporters of Falun Dafa practitioners, speaking on behalf of the Friends of Falun Gong organization in Toronto, were televised on CTV NewsNeta nation-wide news channel in Canada, something like CNN in the US. A segment from a news conference that was conducted in Toronto on March 10, 2001 was repeated several times over the course of several hours. Ms. Janet Futerman (a teacher of Law and English) delivered a speech at the press conference.

The purpose of the conference was to draw to the attention of the visiting International Olympic Committee evaluation committee that China's persecution against Falun Dafa is in direct violation of the Olympic Charter, it is a stark reminder to all of us the example of the Olympics of 1936, which were held in Nazi Germany. The Games overlooked the escalating repression of the Jews in Germany and glorified Hitler's Nazi regime. They were followed shortly, however, by escalating persecution of Jews and the Holocaust. CTV showed footage of Ms. Futerman, a Jewish lady herself, stating: "We must not allow Jiang Zemin to rape the Spirit of the Olympic Games as Hitler did in 1936. We must not allow Jiang Zemin to paint over his crimes just as he painted the grass green in Tiananmen Square..."

Additionally, a student speaking on behalf of the Students' Administrative Council at the University of Toronto (a student government representing 33,000 students) shared a very powerful speech in support of Falun Gong, encouraging the government of Ontario, Canada, and other universities to also speak up and support Falun Gong.

In total, about 10 media attended the conference.