(Minghui.org) More than 1000 Falun Gong practitioners and people from all walks of life in Toronto held a grand parade on May 5, 2012 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction. Many people along the parade route were attracted by the large procession and stopped to watch.

Group practice commences the day's celebration of the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction

Practitioners holding banners celebrating World Falun Dafa Day

The Divine Land Marching Band

The Waist Drum Team

“Fa-boat” float

People watch parade procession passing by

The Divine Land Marching Band composed of more than 100 practitioners led the procession, and performed pieces such as “Delivery of Treasure,” “Fa Drums and Fa Trumpets Shake the World in Ten Directions,” “The Fa Rectifies the Universe.” Solemn and majestic drum music dispersed layers of haze. Followed the band closely was a huge “Fa-boat” float and “celestial maidens” holding lotus flowers. Many spectators took photos.

Overseas Chinese Student: “Falun Gong Wins”

Xiao Wang and Xiao Li came to Toronto from Fujian Province, China months ago. They study at the University of Toronto. It was the first time that they saw such a grand parade. Xiao Wang said that it was impossible to see such a parade in China. He was glad to see a parade with so many Chinese people outside of China. He hadn't learned much about Falun Gong except the propaganda from the CCP's media. After he came abroad, he found that many people practice Falun Gong. He had thought the participants of the parade were from around the world. After learning that they were only a portion of the practitioners in Toronto, he smiled and said, “Falun Gong wins.”

Xiao Li said with conviction, “Here in Canada there is freedom of assembly. If there is also freedom of assembly in China, I believe Falun Gong will have an even larger parade there.”

Ms. Wang and her daughter came to Canada from Henan Province more than four years ago. When the Divine Land Marching Band passed by, they looked delighted. Ms. Wang said, “It's the first time I saw this. Falun Gong has many practitioners.”

Spectators Impressed by Falun Gong Practitioners' Parade

Sandra Street from Brantford, Canada

Ms. Sandra Street from Brantford was impressed by the parade and kept saying, “So beautiful! So wonderful!” She excitedly said, “I also received a small lotus flower, that is attached to a bookmark where there is a website address of Falun Dafa. I'll go back to take a look at it. This parade procession is so beautiful and amazing, I feel strong energy from them.”

Roberta Serilli from Italy

Roberta Serilli from Italy kept taking photos and explained Falun Gong to his friends. He told the reporter, “I'm not a Falun Gong practitioner, but I like them.”

Five overseas students from Malaysia

Five overseas students from Malaysia were very excited to see the parade. After they learned that Falun Dafa has been embraced by people from more than 100 countries, Chi Wei said, “We have studied here for four years, but we hadn't learned about Falun Gong. We'll leave here next week to go back to Malaysia. We are really lucky to see such a spectacular parade. We'll check out the website to learn more.”

Former National Level Basketball Player Miraculously Healed of Debilitating Physical Injuries

Ms. Wang Jinju, former basketball player at the General Political Department Basketball Team and the General Logistics Department Basketball Team, suffered multiple injuries at age 40 due to year round training. She was in pain all day long, and eventually became paralyzed and bedridden. She used to see renowned doctors at the country's top hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai, but to no avail. Doctors told her that she would have to rely on a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

In extreme pain and with no hope of a recovery, one day, Ms. Wang received the book Zhuan Falun from her friend. The first few days since Ms. Wang read the book, she was deeply drawn to the principles expounded upon in the book, and realized that it is a book that teaches people to cultivate their minds to be kind.

Several days later, she could slowly sit up, and then slowly stand up, and later she could move around and take care of her daily needs. What is even more miraculous, she even returned to the basketball field, and became a coach.

Ms. Wang shared her experience with her friends and relatives, who witnessed her positive changes and many of them entered Dafa cultivation.

“Without Falun Dafa, I would still be in a wheelchair today. No words in the human world can describe my gratitude to the founder of Falun Dafa,” said Ms. Wang.

“Without Dafa I would have had no joy in the present, and no hope for the future.”

Mr. Zhong Huaizhou and his family came to Toronto from China in July 2011. It was the first time they participated in such an activity. He said, “I'm amazed at seeing so many practitioners get together and do the exercises in such a large group. It is unimaginable in China under the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party. Practitioners in China don't have an unrestrained environment to do the exercises, and they can't even mention Falun Gong. It is two completely different worlds.”

Mr. Zhong used to run a chemical business in China, and his business was good, but his health was terrible. He suffered from severe stomach problems. He threw up whatever he ate, and was unable to digest whatever he ate. He used up nearly all his money earned from his business to see renowned doctors for a cure, but he saw no sign of recovery. Being helpless and hopeless, his wife learned from her friend that Falun Gong has tremendous effect on improving people's health. So Mr. Zhong began practicing Falun Gong. Several months later, unconsciously, he was surprised to find that he could eat, and his stomachache disappeared. Mr. Zhong said, “Without Dafa, I would have had no joy in the present and no hope for the future. Even if I exhaust the language of the entire human world, I'm unable to express my gratitude to Master.”

New Practitioner: “I feel honored to be able to join Dafa cultivation”

Rita began practicing cultivation less than one year ago. Rita came to Canada to study in 2010, and stayed at her sister's home. Her sister and brother-in-law introduced her to Dafa and eventually she began to learn the practice. Rita said, “I admire Dafa disciples, and I feel honored to be able to join Dafa cultivation. I'm grateful for Master's compassionate salvation.”