(Minghui.org) On July 1, 2013, the city of Calgary celebrated Canada Day by hosting a large event in Shaw Millennium Park, despite serious flooding just one week earlier. Canadian practitioners took part in the occasion by introducing Falun Gong to passersby and exposing the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China.
Calgary officials waited until June 29 to announce the event because of the previous week's flooding. Although many streets were still blocked to traffic, it didn't stop scores of people from attending the very popular event.
Visitors enjoy the lion dance performed by Falun Gong practitioners
A practitioner explains the facts about Falun Gong to a family
Visitors read Falun Dafa informational display boards
Passersby look on as practitioners demonstrate the Falun Gong exercises
Canadian practitioners' truth-clarification efforts, along with their exercise demonstrations, lion dance, elegant lotus flower bookmarks, small gifts, and informational display boards, really caught the attention of passersby. Many visitors stopped by and inquired about Falun Dafa.
This year, the event organizing committee provided practitioners with a very large booth in a great location. Many people from China expressed their admiration and support for Falun Gong, as well as their concern about the persecution in China.
“There is a question on the Chinese passport application asking if an applicant practices Falun Gong,” noted Mr. Xu, a former professor from Xian Oil University. “It means that anyone who practices Falun Gong would not be able to leave China.” He said that he agreed with Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and expressed his sympathy for the Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Four-year-old girl learns the exercises
People who already knew about the persecution in China came to the Falun Gong booth to condemn the CCP.
Some people stopped in front of the booth after hearing the exercise music, then talked with practitioners. Many asked where to learn the practice. A 4-year-old girl stood beside a practitioner demonstrating the exercises and carefully followed her hand movements.
Visitors take group photos with the practitioners
Falun Gong information booth
Canada's Immigration Minister Jason Kenney poses for a group photo
Canada's Immigration Minister Jason Kenney came over to the Falun Gong booth, shook hands with each practitioner, then posed for a group photo. Being an MP from Calgary, Minister Kenney has participated in many rallies put on by the local Falun Dafa Association, and continues to express his support of Falun Gong. He has successfully helped several local practitioners immigrate to Canada from China.
