At 1:00pm
Banners with Falun Dafa and Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance in both Chinese and English were hung between trees. Several posters titled Stop Suppression Against Falun Gong, Return Freedom to Falun Dafa Practitioners and Release All Falun Dafa Practitioners along with some Falun Dafa photos were displayed along a sidewalk. The practitioners meditated peacefully with soft Chinese music playing in the background.
A local Chinese radio station announced this event in advance. Several local TV and radio stations, and both Chinese and English newspapers reported on the appeal. One English radio station had live coverage of the event. The present situation of the practitioners in China was briefly introduced to the media, and some misconceptions were clarified. M.P. Mr. Rob Anders gave a brief speech to show his respect and support to the practitioners in China for their persistence and courage. Practitioners from Calgary read an announcement commemorating July 20 and a letter to the Chinese government in both Chinese and English. When two practitioners, accompanied by M.P. Mr. Rob Anders, presented the petition letter to the Chinese Consulate, the consulate refused to open its doors. The letter was then delivered under the door at the main entrance of the consulate.
At 5:00pm, the practitioners lit candles and hung yellow ribbons on trees to commemorate the dozens of practitioners in China who sacrificed their lives for Falun Dafa. The practitioners from the two cities also exchanged their cultivation experiences in studying and spreading Dafa. They decided to join efforts in spreading and promoting Falun Dafa in Alberta.
Reported by Falun Dafa Practitioners in Alberta, Canada
July 25, 2000
