Edmonton, Canada: Practitioners Commemorate the April 25th Appeal

(Minghui.org) Practitioners in Alberta, Canada, held an event at Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park in Edmonton to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the April 25th Appeal.

They displayed banners with messages such as, “Commemorating the April 25th Appeal” and “Falun Dafa Is Good.”

They also set up displays with information about Falun Dafa near the road.

Practitioners held an event at Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park to commemorate the April 25^th Appeal. 

People learn about Falun Dafa

Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park is located on the west side of the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market. It sees a lot of pedestrian traffic, especially on weekends. Practitioners do the exercises in the park and tell passersby about Falun Dafa. They also collect signatures on a petition to call for an end to the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and to call on the Canadian government to help end the persecution.

The event organizer, Ms. Liu, explained that over ten thousand Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) practitioners peacefully appealed at the Beijing State Council Appeals Office twenty-five years ago. They asked for the release of practitioners arrested by Tianjin police, as well as the lawful publication of Falun Gong books and a lawful environment for the practice. The April 25th peaceful appeal showed the world that practitioners were a peaceful group of people and the event was praised as “the largest, most rational, peaceful, and successful appeal in the history of petitioning in China.”

She said, “Facing the CCP’s brutal persecution for twenty-five years, Falun Gong practitioners have lived up to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They have always peacefully clarified the truth to everyone, even to the police who tortured them. They have persevered for twenty-five years, which reflects their incomparable resilience and powerful compassion.”

A practitioner named Olivia explained that the persecution began on July 20, 1999. Practitioners have been gathering in this park since then to protest the CCP’s brutal persecution. She said, “Every weekend and on special occasions, practitioners have gathered in this park to clarify the truth to the public for twenty-five years.”

Through practitioners’ efforts, more people have become aware of the persecution. Olivia said, “Many people are shocked, and find it unbelievable. They see the evil nature of the CCP. Many people choose to stand on the side of justice and help stop the persecution in various ways, including signing petitions which ask the Canadian government to help. People take or read materials and share the information with their relatives, friends, and colleagues.”

Many people stopped and read the display boards. A young Western couple asked why the event was held. After learning about the persecution, the woman was moved to tears. Not only did she sign the petition, she also asked what more she could do to help practitioners.