(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of July 19, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners in Vancouver held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate to commemorate fellow practitioners who have been tortured to death by the Communist regime. The practitioners, holding portraits of fellow practitioners and candles, sat in a line several hundred feet long, catching the attention of passersby and reminding people of the ongoing 12-year-long persecution in China.
On the evening of July 19, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners in Vancouver held a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate
Song Chen was shocked with 28 electric batons in a labor camp in China
Song Chen, from Shenyang, who was shocked with 28 electric batons at the same time by guards in a labor camp in China, felt sorrow in front of the Chinese Consulate. He said, “This is a portrait of Li Xiaoyuan on the wreath I am holding, a fellow practitioner I knew very well. We used to work together. We went to Beijing to appeal together after the persecution started and were imprisoned in the same labor camp. He was later tortured to death in Changdu Forced Labor Camp in Liaoning Province.”
He said he would continue to explain the facts the people, call for an end to the persecution, and save more people in this environment of freedom.
Mr. Zhang was arrested 11 times and imprisoned many times in China for practicing Falun Gong. He said, “I was detained for seven months twice. I suffered from torture, including having my head covered with a plastic bag, being burnt with cigarettes, electric shocks, etc. Many practitioners are still imprisoned in China and face the threat of losing their lives. Among the practitioners I know, more than 20 have been tortured to death.”
Facing such brutal persecution, Falun Gong practitioners do not compromise. They know the CCP’s true nature and maintain their steadfast belief. Mr. Zhang said, “In 15 years of practicing Falun Gong, I have never given up my belief in Truth-Compassion-Forbearance.”
Mr. Liu and his wife and daughter went to the Chinese Consulate to participate in the event after work. He said, “We commemorate fellow practitioners tortured to death in China. It has significant meaning. Falun Gong practitioners are upholding the truth though many practitioners have been tortured to death.”
Young Falun Dafa practitioners at the vigil
The candlelight vigil caught the attention of drivers and passengers in the passing vehicles. Many drivers honked their horns to greet the practitioners. Some stopped to learn more.
Fraser Clarke heard about the event from his girlfriend and made it a point to come. He said that tragedies that should not happen repeat in history. A few of his friends went to China on a tour and found that Internet searches using the keyword “democracy” were blocked. He felt the CCP’s information blockade is foolish.
Grant Forbes passed by the consulate, saw the candlelight vigil, and stopped. He walked across the street and took a few photos. He stayed for a while, reluctant to leave.
He said he had heard about Falun Gong and was touched to see the candlelight vigil. He wished to do something for Falun Gong and said he would write to media outlets to call for an end to the persecution in China.
Eldia Aligat from the Philippines passed by the consulate and saw the event. She said, “Belief is worth upholding. The CCP has many human rights issues. It persecutes many organizations and groups.”
Some people said they would learn more about Falun Gong online after returning home.
