(Clearwisdom.net) On May 27, 2006, over two thousand Falun Gong practitioners from around the world gathered on Dundas Square at downtown Toronto to participate in a rally and grand parade to celebrate the 14th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction. Besides praising the grace of Falun Dafa, the practitioners called on people to help stop the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s persecution of Falun Gong.
Celebration venue: Young practitioners demonstrate the exercises
Plum dance
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The Divine Land Marching Band played "Falun Dafa is good", "The Fa Rectifies the Universe" and other songs at the start of the celebration. The practitioners praised Dafa, sent their appreciation to Master and celebrated the wide spread of Dafa across the world with songs, dances, and poetry.
George Smitherman, Ontario's Minister of Health, said in his speech, "I will
stand with you forever."
Falun Gong has spread to nearly 80 countries and regions, and received as many as 1,354 awards, 168 resolutions from various governments, and 1,112 support letters.
Stephen Harper, Canada's Prime Minister, Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, Peter Julian, Member of Parliament and other officials sent congratulatory letters to World Falun Dafa Day and Falun Dafa Month in May.
George Smitherman, Ontario's Minister of Health, came to the site and said he
was happy to welcome Falun Gong practitioners and supporters from around the
world to come to Toronto to celebrate the fourteenth anniversary of Falun Dafa's
public introduction.
Practitioner Xun Li of Canada's Falun Dafa Association greeted practitioners and
guests from across the world and expressed everyone's appreciation to Master Li
for his introduction of Falun Dafa.
Mr. Li said in his speech, "On May 1992, Master Li brought Falun Dafa to the
public in Changchun. Within seven years, Falun Gong had spread all over China
and to overseas. More than one hundred million people around the world have
benefited from the practice."
He further said, "Under the CCP's seven-year long genocide policy, Falun Gong
practitioners have overcome countless tribulations and remained steadfast in
their belief of 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance'. We thank the Canadian
people and government for their support and help. Let's work together to bring
an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China."
After the rally, the parade started from Dundas Square, passed by downtown and Chinatown, and ended in the park in front of the Ontario Provincial Government. It lasted for two hours.
Mr. Wu came to Toronto for just a few months from China. He said after watching the parade, "Such a grand parade. Everyone expresses his voice. From this, we can see that one person's will cannot change the people's choice. When everyone wants to have a healthy body and promote compassion, Falun Gong can spread to everywhere across the world."
One Chinese person who had misunderstandings towards Falun Gong was greatly impressed by the "Divine Land Marching Band" in the parade. A practitioner handed him a CD of the Nine Commentaries and he accepted. He also accepted other truth-clarification materials. He said to the practitioner, "I will look at them and keep them well."
