Issued by Clearwisdom Net

On May 27, 2006, over two thousand Falun Gong practitioners from around the world gathered on Dundas Square at downtown Toronto to participate in a rally and grand parade to celebrate the 14th anniversary of Falun Gong's public introduction. Besides praising the grace of Falun Gong, the practitioners called on people to help stop the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s persecution of Falun Gong.

Celebration venue: Young practitioners demonstrate the exercises

The Divine Land Marching Band played "Falun Dafa is good"  and other songs at the start of the celebration. The practitioners praised Falun Gong, sent their appreciation to Teacher and celebrated the wide spread of Falun Gong across the world with songs, dances, and poetry.

George Smitherman, Ontario's Minister of Health, said in his speech, "I will stand with you forever."

Falun Gong has spread to nearly 80 countries and regions, and received as many as 1,354 awards, 168 resolutions from various governments, and 1,112 support letters.

Stephen Harper, Canada's Prime Minister, Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, Peter Julian, Member of Parliament and other officials sent congratulatory letters to World Falun Dafa Day and Falun Dafa Month in May.

George Smitherman, Ontario's Minister of Health, came to the site and said he was happy to welcome Falun Gong practitioners and supporters from around the world to come to Toronto to celebrate the fourteenth anniversary of Falun Gong's public introduction.
Practitioner Xun Li of Canada's Falun Dafa Association greeted practitioners and guests from across the world and expressed everyone's appreciation to Teacher Li for his introduction of Falun Gong.

Mr. Li said in his speech, "On May 1992, Teacher Li brought Falun Gong to the public in Changchun. Within seven years, Falun Gong had spread all over China and to overseas. More than one hundred million people around the world have benefited from the practice."
He further said, "Under the CCP's seven-year long genocide policy, Falun Gong practitioners have overcome countless tribulations and remained steadfast in their belief of 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance'. We thank the Canadian people and government for their support and help. Let's work together to bring an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China."

After the rally, the parade started from Dundas Square, passed by downtown and Chinatown, and ended in the park in front of the Ontario Provincial Government. It lasted for two hours.

Mr. Wu came to Toronto for just a few months from China. He said after watching the parade, "Such a grand parade. Everyone expresses his voice. From this, we can see that one person's will cannot change the people's choice. When everyone wants to have a healthy body and promote compassion, Falun Gong can spread to everywhere across the world."

One Chinese person who had misunderstandings towards Falun Gong was greatly impressed by the "Divine Land Marching Band" in the parade. A practitioner handed him a CD of the Nine Commentaries and he accepted. He also accepted other truth-clarification materials. He said to the practitioner, "I will look at them and keep them well."

Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2006/5/28/129058.html