(Minghui.org) July 20, 2014, marks the 15th anniversary of the beginning of the official campaign of perseuction against Falun Gong in China. Practitioners have been peacefully resisting ever since. In Toronto, practitioners took advantage of the week before July 20 to hold a series of activities in the downtown area, exposing the brutal persecution and calling for more people to join efforts to end it.
From July 14 to July 17, informational displays were set up near several busy intersections in downtown Toronto. Practitioners collected signatures calling for an end to the persecution. They talked to people on streets and at subway stations. A large rally and a candlelight vigil are scheduled for the weekend.
Falun Gong displays in downtown Toronto marking 15 years of persecution in China
Many people learned about the persecution and signed a petition against it.
People in Toronto sign their names in hopes of bringing an end to the persecution of Falun Gong
A police officer accepts materials about Falun Gong
Court Interpreter: “It's Important to Tell All People about It!”
Georgie, a court interpreter, signed the petition and said, “I'm glad to see their peaceful protest. It's important to tell all people about it!”
Georgie, a court interpreter, signs petition against the persecution of Falun Gong
Georgie said, “I'm lucky. One of my colleagues is a Falun Gong practitioner. She has told me about Falun Gong. I'm fortunate to have watched the Shen Yun show. My colleague told me how to learn Falun Gong from the Internet. I tried it and felt wonderful and energetic. I know there is a group exercise site nearby. I will join them. I'm so happy to see Falun Gong doing such a great deed here today! I believe when others see I become a calmer and better person, I will be able to tell them proudly, 'It's Falun Gong that made me a better person!'”
She said it was sad such a great practice had been persecuted in China for 15 years. It was great Falun Gong practitioners were telling people about it. The persecution would stop when more and more people stepped out to safeguard human rights.
“Let More People Support Justice. Hope the Persecution Will End Soon!”
April, a bank employee, learns about the persecution.
April, a bank employee, stopped at a street crossing to read Falun Gong banner and truth-clarification information. She told the reporter, “I know Falun Gong is persecuted in China. I support their work to end the persecution. The display over there is about organ harvesting. I haven't heard about it before. It's terrible!” April thought Falun Gong practitioners' activities were great. They should let more people support justice. She hoped the persecution would end soon!
“Stepping Out Is the Best Way to Help!”
Local resident Miguel checked out the display at a street crossing and signed his name on the petition form without hesitation. He said, “I learned Falun Gong is terribly persecuted in China. I learned people in China aren't treated unfairly. I think the persecution should stop immediately. I have signed my name. I hope everyone will sign. They (Falun Gong practitioners) need support. Stepping out is the best way to help!”
“I Should Thank You!”
Ms. Zhou, a Falun Gong practitioner who volunteers to collect signatures, remarked, “Many people stopped by and signed their names to support us, as soon as they found out what had happened. Many Chinese people signed as well. A Chinese lady came straight to us and signed her name. She said, 'I wouldn't be a Chinese if I don't sign today.' She told me she watched NTDTV everyday and knew about the persecution. When I thanked her for her support, she said, 'It's what I should do. I should thank you! What you are doing is remarkable!'”
Chinese Tourist, “I Will Certainly Sign! Many People in China Know the True Story!”
A Chinese man stopped when he heard Ms. Zhou's call for signatures. He picked the pen and told Ms. Zhou he was a tourist from China. Ms. Zhou praised his courage to sign. He said, “Why not dare to sign? All these are facts. I know some Falun Gong practitioners. They are great!” Ms. Zhou told him about quitting the CCP. He replied, “My Falun-Gong-practitioner friend has helped me quit already. Many people in China know the true story.”
People Take Initiative to Sign
Ms. Wang, another Falun Gong practitioner, reported that, “More and more people have learned about the persecution. So more and more people signed. On the second day we were here, some people asked us for the signature sheet before we could set up our banners and information booth. A man would rather miss the green light, but he wouldn't miss the opportunity to sign. An elderly man read our display for an half hour, signed for his entire family, and pressed his hands in front of his chest to solute us before he left.”
Falun Gong practitioners in Toronto have scheduled a series of activities, including an anti-persecution memorial in front of the Chinese Consulate on Friday, and a candlelight vigil on Sunday.
Category: July 20 Events
