Member of Parliament Rob Anders' Speech at Commemorative Rally in Calgary, Canada

(Clearwisdom.net) Thank you for having me out today. It is very special. I know that I stand with very brave people today. I know that many of you, your families back home, have suffered persecution. I've sat with people in my office who told me about losing business opportunities because of influence that the Chinese government is using against their businesses, and people that they have that are back home. I know that you have to be brave. There are maybe many others who feel the way you feel, but they are not willing to stand with you today [for fear of persecution]. And so I praise you for that. It is so very special. It's so strong of you, so much courage.

I want to let you know that when I fist read about the persecution in the National Review, it inspired me to go out and meet with your practitioners on the front lawn when they were there on Parliament Hill. And I want to give you hope, my reading that article was able to touch and influence me. And what you do today, with your placards, and with your practicing -- it will touch the hearts of others. You are spreading this message. And sometimes I know you think, "Does the world pay attention? Does the world care?" And little by little, more and more will. I remember when we first started with this issue on Parliament Hill, very few Members of Parliament were willing to stand with me. [Yet by the time] when professor Zhang Kunlun was released, there were probably sixty Members of Parliament in that audience. So stay with the cause!

What we are doing today is that we are sending a message to other Canadians by saying that our government policy needs to change, and we need to recognize what is going on. That's important. And maybe even more importantly, you're sending a message to people who are suffering persecution in your homeland -- that you are with them -- that the word will go back and that they know other people care. And that may inspire others to join the cause and to overcome the oppression and change, maybe, the heart of the Chinese government some day. So keep up with it. It is so important. And [encourage] others to it, because I think this is the greatest example of human rights violations in the world today. I bless every single one of you. Thank you so much.

[Practitioners on the scene that day said, "All in attendance were greatly touched by Mr. Anders speech this morning. Mr. Anders himself was moved to the point of tears while delivering his kind words to the assembled audience, and again while chatting with practitioners and the media. Mr. Anders was the first Member of Parliament in Canada to step forward to support Falun Gong, and has been a staunch supporter at every step along the way. Practitioners gratefully acknowledge Mr. Anders' support and offer him heartfelt best wishes for a most wonderful future."]