(Clearwisdom.net) To celebrate the 19^th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction, more than a thousand practitioners and supporters held a large rally and parade on May 22, 2011, in front of the Ontario Legislature Building at Queen's Park, Toronto. Canadian Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver and other government officials came in person to express their congratulations.

Canadian Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver and other government officials came in person to express their congratulations. From right to left: Jon Telch, Rocco Rossi, Joe Oliver, Consiglio Di Nino, Michael Craig, Rosario Marcheese and Majed El Shafie

More than a thousand practitioners and supporters held a rally on May 22, 2011, in front of the Ontario Legislature Building, to celebrate the 19^th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction

Coordinator of the rally Joel Chipkar said that 19 years ago, Mr. Li Hongzhi publicly introduced Falun Dafa for the first time. Today, people around the world express their praise and appreciation for Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They are also impressed by Falun Gong practitioners' twelve years of peaceful efforts in clarifying the truth and working against the persecution, and express their support in a variety of ways.

Canadian Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver

Mr. Joe Oliver is a newly-elected Toronto MP. The first public event he took part in since he was appointed as Canadian Natural Resources Minister was this rally. He extended regards to all Falun Gong practitioners around the world. He said, “I'm so pleased to join you in the celebration of the anniversary of Falun Dafa, the profound principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, whose goals encompass spiritual enlightenment and healthy body and mind. I'm proud that Canada celebrates and welcomes you as guest people from around the world,  and I'm grateful because you've enriched our country with your customs, your traditions and your learning. Canada benefits from the teaching of Mr. Li Hongzhi. ”

MP Oliver came to know Falun Gong practitioners four years ago, and was impressed by the practitioners' genuine compassion, adherence to truth and gentle and non-violent approach to life.  He remarked that these traits are “so reflective of the best of what we would like to achieve here in Canada, and so their contribution to Canadian society has been very positive and very welcome.”

Senator Consiglio Di Nino

Senator Consiglio Di Nino is a long-time supporter of Falun Gong.  He said, “The struggle that you have undertaken for so many years, the courage that you've shown, and maintaining that passion for the struggle, is one of those things that make our country great.”  “We have to strengthen our resolve and continue to tell the Chinese government: let your people practice religious freedom, let your people practice freedom of speech, let the Chinese citizens who have come to this country to get away from oppression, which is not acceptable anytime.” 

MPP Rosario Marcheese is also a long-time supporter of Falun Gong. He was the first MPP who attended the very first Falun Gong press conference ten years ago. He made a speech to support Falun Gong and call for the release of Canadian citizen Kunlun Zhang.  He said, “We know that, in China, maybe you practice Falun Gong, you are oppressed, jailed, and in some cases tortured, and that simply is not right. We have a duty as politicians and citizens, to express ourselves in defense of what people are doing, and to attack violations whatever they have.”

Local politician Rocco Rossi

Former mayoral candidate Rocco Rossi said “One year surviving against a very powerful government that doesn't want to see you exist, it's incredible. Nineteen years is nothing short of a miracle!”  He said, “Why have you survived and thrived for 19 years, because truthfulness is more powerful than lies, compassion is more powerful than violence, and forbearance is more powerful than prejudice and intolerance.”

Michael Craig, China Rights Network Chair, Amnesty International member

Mr. Michael Craig said that the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is what China needs the most, but the CCP rejects and violently suppresses this belief. He said that the persecution of Falun Gong has turned one hundred million people into its biggest enemy, undoubtedly an unwise move.

Canadian Falun Dafa Association President Li Xun said that he was glad to see that the Canadian people have gained a deeper understanding of the true situation. “It can be seen that Falun Gong has entered people's hearts in Canada,” he said.

A parade of more than one thousand people well received by people of different nationalities

The parade set off at 1:00 p.m. The Divine Land Marching Band composed of more than a hundred Falun Gong practitioners took the lead. The parade procession peacefully marched through Chinatown where it was welcomed by spectators lining the roadside.

Toronto parade celebrating the 19^th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction

Many people were impressed by such a grand parade and showed interest in finding out more about Falun Gong. Some people have learned about Falun Gong and the persecution, and expressed their support for the practitioners' effort to strive for human rights.