Two University of Toronto students, along with other supporters of the Falun Gong spiritual practice, participated in a 500 kilometer "SOS" walk between Toronto and Ottawa aimed at raising awareness about the atrocities committed on fellow practitioners in China.

The walk, which began at Toronto's City Hall on September 7, was meant to draw Canadian support for the millions of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners, as well as to deliver hundreds of petitions signed by university students to the office of the Prime Minister.

"The walk was tiring and hot, but the positive reaction from the public made it all worth while," said U of T student Jason Loftus, who joined fellow student Quincy Yu in the campaign.

They say the case of Professor Kunlun Zhang of McGill University, who was jailed in China for practicing Falun Gong and remained imprisoned until the Canadian government demanded his release, is a perfect example of how international pressure has worked in the past.

The pair walked alongside Lily Wang and Danielle Zhu, the two who walked the entire distance from Toronto to Ottawa.

Practitioners of Falun Gong base their belief on the universal principle of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance. Those involved in an ongoing campaign to raise awareness and support for Falun Gong practitioners tell of practitioners being imprisoned by the thousands in China, and are in many cases being subjected to cruel punishment.

In 1999, Chinese President Jiang Zemin ordered the persecution of millions of citizens who believe in Falun Gong, resulting in the arbitrary arrest, beating, and torture of thousands of people.

"No means are too excessive to exterminate Falun Gong," said Zemin in 2000. In response to this radical demand, several Canadian supporters of the peaceful movement have urged the public to put pressure on their municipal leaders, members of Parliament and the Prime Minister.

Joel Duff of the Canadian Federation of Students believes that such pressure will "let governments know that people around the world are watching their actions," and possibly prevent brutal assaults and violations of basic human rights in the future.

Canada's government has taken action against the ill-treatment of people in the past by discussing the problem with Chinese leaders, but a spokesman with the Department of Foreign Affairs could not be reached for comment on Jean Chretien's political agenda when he travels to China next month.

In recent years, the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners has worsened, according to Loftus who said that the total number of recorded deaths is now 283.

"It's demoralizing when we hear about the increase in violent persecution in China, but the courage of the Chinese practitioners, who despite the violence continue to practice, is an inspiration to the group," said Yu, a Computer Science student pursuing her Ph.D.

The University of Toronto's Student Administrative Council (SAC) is also helping supporters of Falun Gong by calling it a "SAC recognized group."

According to Liz Majic, SAC's Equity Commissioner, "What's going on in China demonstrates a serious violation of the basic rights of millions of Chinese citizens."

"The values for which the Falun Gong stand are respected by the students of the University of Toronto," continued Majic, who has encouraged the supporters to display a poster, hand out flyers, and post a petition for the campaign in the SAC office. The "SOS" walk culminates with a rally today on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and organizers hope that several other practitioners, MPs, and members of the Senate will be in attendance.

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