Ottawa, Canada: Practitioners Hold Rally to Mark the April 25 Appeal

(Minghui.org) Practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy on April 25, 2023, to mark the 24th anniversary of the April 25 Appeal in Beijing. They introduced Falun Dafa to passersby and called for help to stop the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa.

Practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa on April 25, 2023

Among the rally participants was Ms. Pu Huailin, former Vice Chairman of the Chinese Association of Ottawa. She was captivated by the practitioners’ peaceful behavior that she observed during a CBC TV news report on the April 25 appeal 24 years ago.

As she stood in front of the Chinese Embassy in Canada on April 25, 2023 with other practitioners to commemorate that special day, Ms. Pu said she deeply experienced the original intention of practitioners during their peaceful petition 24 years ago.

Ms. Pu Huailin, former Vice Chairman of the Chinese Association of Ottawa

In 1998 Ms. Pu was diagnosed with lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease. In 1999, CBC News broadcast a report on the April 25 Appeal, and this was how she heard about Falun Dafa.

After learning more about Falun Dafa from practitioners in Ottawa, she read Zhuan Falun, the main text, and decided to practice. She reads the teachings and does the exercises every day, and follows the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Without any medical treatment, her pain disappeared after three months, and the wrinkles and dark spots on her face began fading. Later examination results showed that her body was returning to normal.

Twenty-four years have passed, and Ms. Pu said that she is now physically and mentally healthy, happy and peaceful. During the rally she said, “The words Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are always in my heart. Falun Dafa practitioners benefit both physically and mentally from their practice. Falun Dafa was framed by the CCP’s lies, and practitioners were even subjected to live organ harvesting. During the persecution, can we not stand up and speak out? Many people believe the CCP’s lies. Therefore, I want to use my story to tell the world: Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.”

The April 25 Appeal Is Legal and Has No Political Agenda

Computer scientist Dr. Jason Qin is another practitioner who has benefited physically and mentally from practicing Falun Dafa. He obtained a PhD in computer science in Canada and previously taught at a university in China.

Computer scientist Dr. Jason Qin

Before practicing Falun Dafa, Dr. Qin was in poor health, and suffered from stomach problems, kidney problems and hepatitis. After he started practicing in 1996, he not only regained his health, but also understood the true purpose of being a human being—which is to return to one’s true nature.

Many Chinese were told that Falun Dafa’s appeal was getting “political” because they were misled by the CCP’s lies. Dr. Qin said, “We don’t have a political agenda. We just want to keep fit and be good people. According to the Chinese Constitution, everyone has the right to their beliefs. In addition, we clarify the truth to let people recognize the CCP’s lies.”

He said, “The persecution has gone on for 24 years, and our efforts against the persecution will continue, so that the world can finally understand the truth. I also hope that everyone can support us and bring the persecution to an end as soon as possible. The CCP will be brought to justice.”

Hector Reyes, a nutritionist in Ottawa, started practicing Falun Dafa in March 1999. He said that 24 years ago today, the peaceful appeal of 10,000 practitioners in China was a historic moment. “I’ve never seen such a peaceful action and I believe that they had a right do it.”

Hector Reyes, a nutritionist in Ottawa

He said that the CCP started the persecution under the pretext of a “siege” and “disrupting social order,” but this is not true at all. The appeal was very peaceful.

He said practitioners held the rally to pay tribute to all the practitioners who have experienced great hardships in China.

“Practicing Falun Dafa makes us healthier people, helps us think better, and helps us to put others before ourselves, which is beneficial to human beings and each of us as individuals. Peaceful petition is just a form of our expression of hope to stop the persecution. We will stand with Chinese practitioners and continue to uphold the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” said Reyes.