(Minghui.org) The Bestival music festival was held at the picturesque Hanlan’s Point Beach on Toronto Island on June 12th and 13^th. Falun Gong practitioners were invited to demonstrate the exercises and to give waist drum and lion dance performances.

Some 20,000 people attended the festival, and many were impressed by the Falun Gong activities. Some signed petitions to help bring the brutal persecution in China to an end, while others decided to learn the exercises for themselves.

Falun Gong waist drummers at the Bestival music festival on June 13, 2015

Rochelle Douris from Indie88 radio station stopped by the booth to learn more. After briefly trying the first exercise, she said she felt very good, “It seems I am surrounded by energy. This is awesome!” She and her cameraman then interviewed some practitioners.

Festival-goers learn the Falun Gong exercises.

Mitch Daurio, who lives an hour away, was interested in the exercise demonstration. He was disturbed by the fact that practitioners are mistreated in China for their beliefs, and was particularly upset to hear about organ harvesting atrocities. “This is simply too cruel,” said Daurio as he signed a petition to support Falun Gong.

He read some materials on the table and picked up a pamphlet, “The exercises look great. I will give a try.”

Barbara Chandler, who traveled from UK with her son, believes everyone should have the opportunity to practice such a wonderful meditation. “People are entitled to follow their belief,” she said, “You have my support and I am sure you will succeed.” Both she and her son signed a petition.

People signing petitions calling to end the persecution.

Brianna Rowe, a natural resources conservationist, said Falun Gong makes people more open-minded and uplifts their spirit. “You will definitely like it.”

As the daughter of Peter Rowe, a filmmaker who produced the documentary of Beyond the Red Wall: The Persecution of Falun Gong, Brianna said both her father and she would like to help more people learn about Falun Gong. “They will benefit from the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”