After the series of activities on July 20, including a press conference, parade, group practice in front of the Chinese Embassy, and a candlelight vigil, it rained for the next two days. Practitioners were not perturbed. Tents were set up in front of the Chinese Embassy. Ottawa and Montreal practitioners continued to tell the truth of Falun Dafa to the public. They appealed to the Chinese Embassy in Canada to stop the persecution of Falun Dafa and its practitioners in China.
From 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM on July 21, twenty or so practitioners held a group practice in front of the Embassy. Afterwards, they studied the recent articles by the Teacher, and share cultivation experiences. During this period of time, some practitioners contacted the embassy by phone to express their concerns, and reiterate their request that the Embassy accept and relay the "Letter to Committee of the Central Chinese Communist Party and Central People's Government." The official refused, saying they were too busy. Practitioners further inquired if he could assign other personnel to receive the letter, he immediately stated, "I cannot."
In the morning of July 22, practitioners went to Chinatown in Ottawa to tell the truth of Falun Dafa to the public. On both sides of the street, in and outside the retail stores, people were anxious to learn the truth of Falun Dafa from the practitioners. Some started reading the newspaper as soon as it was handed to them. Some shook their heads and sighed to express their confusion with the government's decision to persecute Falun Gong. People who were aware of the brutal persecutions expressed their sorrow for the pain and suffering that the practitioners in China are currently experiencing. At about 1:00 PM, practitioners came back to the Embassy to have a group practice. Although unable to make contact with the Embassy, their hearts were at peace. The atmosphere was serene and harmonious. Afterwards, they studied the new articles by the Teacher again, and share some more experiences in cultivation.
During the three-day appeal in front of the Chinese Embassy, other than shadows of people peeking out from behind the curtains during the candlelight vigil on July 20 -- which was in memory of the 24 Dafa practitioners who gave up their lives for truth -- the only response from the Embassy was "I cannot." Cars on the other hand, continuously slowed down when passing the quiet and well ordered practitioners, and drivers honked their horns and waived to the practitioners in friendly gestures to express their support . When practitioners expressed their thanks to the only police officer on duty throughout the events and asked what he thought, he said, "No problem at all. We are all from one family."
Reported by Falun Dafa practitioners in Canada July 25, 2000
Category: Rallies & Protests
