(Clearwisdom.net) On July 1, Canada Day, the Toronto Divine Land Marching Band was invited to perform in the Cambridge Parade in the morning and the Scarborough Parade in the afternoon. Honored with rave reviews, it was the third time in a row the band has performed in each city.
The Divine Land Marching Band in the Cambridge Canada Day Parade
The band in the Cambridge parade
The band in the Scarborough Canada Day Parade
Ms. Shen, who immigrated to Cambridge from Shanghai two years ago, watched the parade with her family of five. When the Divine Land Marching Band passed by, her entire family stood up and waved at the band. Shen said, “This is the best band. Its selections are very uplifting. As a Chinese, I am very proud.
“People enjoy freedom here. I know that Falun Gong is being persecuted brutally in China. They are good people, so why the persecution? I still cannot understand. There is nothing wrong for one to cultivate and to be better person. I thank the democratic countries for their support of Falun Gong, for letting them freely promote their belief.”
Ms. Zhu is from Shenyang and has lived in Cambridge for over ten years. She said, “I love this band. It gives us a wonderful feeling. I know that Falun Gong is being persecuted in China, and I feel happy for practitioners here as they can freely demonstrate their belief.”
Scarborough resident Diao, originally from Beijing, took many photos of the band. He said, “Great! The band is truly spectacular and very uplifting. I sincerely thank you!”
Ms. Liu and her family admire Falun Gong
Ms. Liu of Scarborough said that her family immigrated to Canada 48 years ago. She said, “I was thrilled as soon as I saw the band. I learned about Falun Gong from the Epoch Times and I have been reaching the newspaper for 10 years. I thank them.” Her daughter added, “I was born here. While my mom reads the Chinese Epoch Times, I read the English Epoch Times. The people we know all believe that Falun Gong practitioners are good people.”
Filipino immigrant Elizabeth said that she was excited to see the band and said it gave her a special feeling. “We live in Mississauga and yet we see the band here in Cambridge. My daughter is a supporter of Falun Gong. She told me about the persecution of the practice in China about four years ago and reminded us that all kindhearted people should support them. So we all support Falun Gong.” Her sister Evelyn added, “The band gives people a peaceful feeling. I sincerely thank them.”
Filipino immigrants Elizabeth and Evelyn support Falun Gong
Cambridge resident Manuel was dancing to the rhythm of the band. He said, “This is my first time to see such a grand and complete Chinese band. I am excited and thank them for coming.” His wife Tina added, “My husband was a conductor, and he understands many things about bands. That is why he is so excited.”
Cambridge residents Manuel and Tina
Cambridge resident Shirley and her granddaughter Emma were very happy to see the band. Shirley said, “The band is outstanding—their performance is magnificent. We thank them and hope that they will come back every year.”
Shirley (center) and her family
Laslee of Scarborough said that the Canada Day Parade is the best event and that the [Divine Land] Marching Band is one of the best bands in Canada. “I thank them. Happy Canada Day!”
Scarborough resident Laslee (First from the left)
Dona is a member of the “Preston Scout House Alumni Band,” which has about 120 members and is a frequent participant in big parades in Canada and the United States. Before the parade started, Dona and her band members chatted with Divine Land Marching Band members and exchanged contact information.
Dona (second from the right) and her band members
Dona said, “We love the Divine Land Marching Band, and we want to have them at every parade that we participate in.”
Korean international student Jng (Left) and her classmates
Jing is a Korean international student who just came to Toronto. She watched the parade with her classmates. Jing said that she felt very lucky to see such a grand marching band. “I like their music, costumes, and color. I felt that we were very lucky to see them.”
