(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a parade in downtown Montreal on August 6, 2022, to celebrate 400 million people who have quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations. People responded warmly along the route, applauding with their thumbs up to express support.

Parade held in Montreal on August 6, 2022.

The parade passed through Sainte Catherine Street in downtown Montreal.

The parade passed through popular Place d’Armes in Old Montreal.

The parade enters Chinatown.

Since the Epoch Times published the Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party in November 2004, it sparked a wave of Chinese citizens renouncing their membership in the CCP and its affiliated organizations. The number of people quitting their Party memberships recently reached 400 million on the Global Quit the CCP website. This is a new milestone and emphasizes the importance of decoupling from communism globally.

The parade was led by the Tian Guo Marching Band. Accompanied by invigorating music, practitioners set off from Dorchester Square in the city center passing through busy areas including Sainte Catherine Street, Rene-Levesque Blvd, and Place d’Armes in Old Montreal. Huge banners with messages such as, “Support 400 Million Chinese Quitting the CCP” spread the joyous news of so many courageous people renouncing the CCP.

The parade entered Sainte-Catherine Street in the city center.

It is the height of tourist season in Quebec and the streets were filled with people. Many stopped to watch the colorful parade and some said it emitted positive energy. Along the route, spectators on both sides of the road and at intersections applauded. Local residents also watched the parade from their balconies. Many applauded enthusiastically and gave practitioners a thumbs up.

Spectators gave a thumbs up while watching the parade to show their support.

The parade finished in Chinatown after which practitioners held a rally and demonstrated the exercises. They continued handing out information and telling passersby why it’s important to distance oneself from the CCP.

400 Million People Quit the CCP Is Great News

When the parade passed through St Urbain, Jolty, a development consultant and his family applauded joyfully. Jolty said, “I just saw that 400 million people have quit the CCP. I did not know about this before. I think this is great news! It is wonderful that you inform people of this through a parade!”

Jolty’s family, Karine who is a teacher, and Astlid who works in public relations both praised the messages in the parade. Karine said, “The parade is amazing! People cannot do this in China, to be able to express this in other countries this way and inform the public. This is excellent and the message you transmit is great. I support and applaud you!” Astlid went on to say, “You must continue doing this! Don’t give up!”

Jolty (center) and his family were among the people who applauded to congratulate 400 million people quitting the CCP.

All three of them said the parade had a special energy. Jolty said it made him feel “peaceful” and the parade had a strong summoning power while Karine said, “This powerful energy comes from practitioners’ conviction.”

Josh who lives in Montreal and Mary were encouraged by the news of 400 million people quitting the CCP. Josh said, “This shows more people realize what the communist government is like. People hope to choose a better future for themselves.”

Josh (right) lives in Montreal

Mary said, “I know the human rights situation in China is terrible. Renouncing the CCP means people can gain freedom.”

They both thought the parade to celebrate the milestone was meaningful. Mary said, “The message on the banner made me understand clearly, that China must change in order to have a good future. I look forward to this and will continue to pay attention to this matter.”

Suzie (right) lives in Montreal.

Suzie lives in Montreal and said she was nearly moved to tears after learning that 400 million courageous people quit the CCP. She said, “We know that this is a celebratory event. We realize why people want to relinquish the CCP.”

Joanne (right) made a video recording of the parade.

Joanne who works in a shop on Sainte-Catherine Street stepped out to take a video recording of the parade. She said, “This parade brings great news to people.”

French Tourists Praise the Withdrawals

When the parade passed through Place d’Armes in Old Montreal, it caught the attention of Alain a French tourist, and his wife Salles. Alain is a history teacher. He and his wife started a band. They said they were drawn to the Tian Guo Marching Band, “This parade is organized and disciplined, it caught our attention.”

He noticed the information on the banners that 400 million people have withdrawn from the Party, and said that this goes to show that the CCP is not as good as they claim to be. You are probably not allowed to talk about this in public in China. It is wonderful that you tell people about this here!”

Alain (left) and his wife Salles from France praised Falun Dafa’s principles.

Alain said that he did know about those in the parade but he was moved by the three words “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” on the banner. He could instinctively tell from the demeanor of practitioners in the parade they are good people, “Very upright, with a kind heart, I wish them good luck.”

Rim who teaches in Montreal expressed support for 400 million people quitting the CCP.

At Sun-Yat Sen park, the finishing point for the parade, Rim who teaches French in Montreal expressed her support. She said the news of 400 million withdrawals was “very positive” information and would gain the support of people.