To protest the Jiang regime's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and the new "Shoot on Sight" and "Kill Without Mercy" orders, about 100 Canadian Falun Gong Practitioners decided to hold a 36-hour hunger strike petition in front of the Canadian parliament beginning March 13, 2002.
March 13, 2002 was the first day. At 9:00 a.m., the first batch of hunger-striking practitioners arrived. At 11:00 am, the second batch of over 50 practitioners arrived. In the early Spring cold wind, the practitioners sat on the remaining ice, practiced and sent forth righteous thoughts. Huge banners were displayed behind the practice site.
Group practice in the morning | Sending forth righteous thoughts |
At 1:00 p.m., a press conference was held and Zenon read the hunger-strike statement. A total of 9 media, including Ottawa Citizens, Ottawa Sun, CTV, NewRO, CJOH, Ming Pao, and South China Morning post attended the press conference. Three members of parliament came to support the practitioners. Two other members sent supporting letters.
Zenon reads hunger-strike statement at press conference | A reporter interviews a practitioner |
Group exercise in the afternoon | Members of Parliament talking with Zenon |
At 1:45 p.m., a representative of the practitioners delivered a letter to the Prime Minister's Office urging the Canadian government and Canadian people to pay attention to the Jiang regime's bloody persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The office staff accepted the letter.
Delivering a letter to the Prime Minister | Candlelight vigil |
In the evening, the practitioners lit candles along the road to the Parliament.