(Minghui.org) Practitioners in Toronto, Canada, held an event at City Hall Square on May 6, 2023, to celebrate the 31^st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. Local politicians and dignitaries participated and gave speeches to express their congratulations and support.

Toronto Falun Dafa practitioners celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and wish Master Li a happy birthday

Practitioners took a group photo during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations held on May 6.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises.

The Tian Guo Marching Band performed during the event.

Practitioners celebrate World Falun Dafa Day with songs, dances, music, telling stories about cultivation, and reciting poems.

Elected officials and practitioners shouted, “Falun Dafa is good!”

Several elected officials expressed their admiration for Falun Gong practitioners who never gave up their belief or surrendered under the tyranny of the CCP, while others expressed their appreciation for practitioners’ kindness and humanity. With the support of hundreds of millions of people around the world, they hope that China will truly usher in freedom.

Former MP: Wish China Have Freedom

Wladyslaw Lizon, former Member of Parliament (MP), gave a victory hand sign.

Former Canadian MP Wladyslaw Lizon continues to support Falun Dafa. He said, “Thank all of you who come to celebrate the 31^st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. It is very important that we all work together. Fortunately, in Canada, we can celebrate this special festival.

“But we can’t forget those Falun Gong practitioners in China who have been suppressed, discriminated against, and jailed by the CCP by any means,” he said. “Why do they [the CCP] do this? They want to be in full control of people’s lives. I grew up in Poland during communism. Later, I was a part of the Solidarity movement that eventually was successful in changing that repressive government. And we were successful in achieving democracy.

“I’m sure by working together and remembering those in China, we will also be successful in bringing about change in China. I’m sure we will be successful. I know from my own experience how important it is to show support in places like Toronto and other places in the world. Those people in China have to acknowledge that they are not alone. They have millions of people supporting them.

“Best wishes for celebrating full freedom in China. We will prevail!” he said.

City Councilor of Mississauga: I Will Continue to Support Falun Gong

Brad Butt, former MP and City Councilor of Mississauga

Former MP and current Mississauga City Councilor Brad Butt said, “What a glorious day for this wonderful celebration! I bring greetings on behalf of Mississauga.

“We are proud that Mississauga is one of the most diverse cities in Canada, where people have freedom of religion and freedom to practice the faith they believe in, in a way that is safe, compassionate and fair.

“The Falun Dafa community is an important part of our vibrant community. As Canadians, we can have the opportunity to practice and profess our faith.

“We know about the terrible situation that Falun Dafa practitioners have to put up with in China. Here, people have freedom of expression and freedom of association. I was here many years back, when I served as a Member of Parliament, and I’m now a Mississauga City Councilor. I wish you a great day!”

Sheng Xue, Vice Chairperson of the Federation for a Democratic China, Calls Falun Gong Practitioners “Heroes”

Sheng Xue, Vice Chairperson of the Federation for a Democratic China (FDC), has been supporting Falun Gong for 24 years.

Sheng Xue, Vice Chairperson of the FDC, has been supporting Falun Gong since 1999. She said with emotion, “I was there at that time, and since that day I have walked with all Falun Gong practitioners to this day. After 24 years of resistance, Falun Gong practitioners have become a model of resistance to violence in human history.

“First of all, the Falun Gong community has endured the most severe persecution. We know that [the CCP’s] live organ harvesting is the cruelest and the most inhuman crime in human history. Falun Gong practitioners are the main target of the CCP’s atrocities.

“In the past 24 years, the persecution has never stopped. The Falun Gong practitioners have never given up their beliefs, never stopped fighting, and never surrendered. During this process, Falun Gong practitioners’ awareness-raising has become the world’s largest action, also the most effective one.

“Now the whole world knows that the media created by a group of people mainly Falun Gong practitioners, including The Epoch Times, NTDTV, Sound of Hope, and Vision Times are phenomenal in the history of journalism. They are also the most effective media to expose the CCP’s lies.

“Shen Yun Performing Arts, which is currently touring around the world, has most effectively resisted the CCP’s so-called cultural performances around the world, giving the whole world an opportunity to see the real Chinese culture.

“In addition, the Falun Gong group has launched the most effective civil legal action, preventing many CCP perpetrators from coming to democratic countries.

“During the more than 70 years of the CCP’s brutal rule, Falun Gong practitioners have managed to organize the most complete and professional archives and materials of those persecuted. This is very important. Under the framework of future democracy and how to seek justice from the CCP, Falun Gong does the best.

“So, the Falun Gong practitioners are the most persecuted group of people, and the Falun Gong practitioners are also the most effective group of people to expose the CCP to the world,” she said. “The Nine Commentaries on Communist Party is the most effective way to expose the CCP anti-humanity regime.

“Also, the Falun Gong practitioners have developed software to overcome the CCP’s information censorship. What Falun Gong has done for the world is beyond words. Every one of you is a hero.”

CEO of Optimum Publishing International: Your Voice Will Lead the CCP to Crumble

Dean Baxendale, CEO of Optimum Publishing International

Dean Baxendale, the CEO of Optimum Publishing International, a multinational publishing company, said in his speech, “On this wonderful spring day, we gather to celebrate Falun Dafa Day. Falun Dafa embodies Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. You believe in kindness and humanity.”

He said that, in the past five years, he has learned about the painful experiences of people in China, “...including Han, Tibetans, Uyghur, Hong Kongers, Taiwanese, and peaceful Falun Gong practitioners. They are all bound together by one common threat: the anti-human CCP.” He said that many Falun Gong practitioners struggled to flee persecution in China at the hands of the brutal communist regime.

He said that the CCP not only suppresses its people in China but also controls overseas Chinese through its United Front Work Department and a network of Chinese Associations. “If you speak out, you are targeted. They will threaten you and threaten your family members back in China.

“We share many common goals. We seek peace, freedom, and strong and vibrant communities. Here in Canada, we can strive for what we want and what we need while living with our fellow citizens in peace and harmony.”

He emphasized remembering the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance advocated by Falun Gong but said that the CCP has nothing to do with these words, that it is an authoritarian tyranny trying to control the world.

Finally, Baxendale said, “One day, your voices will stand for basic civil and human rights, and (your wishes) will all be realized. The CCP regime will crumble!”

Background: What Is Falun Dafa Day?

World Falun Dafa Day was first designated on May 13, 2000, to celebrate the Falun Dafa spiritual discipline and its positive impact on the health and spirit of millions around the world. The occasion also highlights practitioners' efforts to uphold their freedom of belief in the face of brutal persecution by the Chinese communist regime. May 13 is also the birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa.