(Clearwisdom.net) On November 27-28, 2010, the Divine Land Marching Band, consisting of Falun Gong practitioners from Toronto, participated in Christmas parades in Markham and Mississauga. More than ten thousand people in Markham and forty thousand in Mississauga watched the parade. Local TV stations broadcast the parades live.

The Divine Land Marching Band in Markham

The band in Mississauga

The band in Mississauga

The band in Mississauga

The band performances were warmly welcomed by the spectators.

Fenny and her husband

Fenny from Hong Kong was very happy to see the Divine Land Marching Band. "I've never seen such a big Chinese band in the Christmas parade. I am excited. Thank them. And Merry Christmas to them," she said. Several Chinese people expressed the same feeling. Mr. Chen said, "I've never seen a Falun Dafa group before. I will go online and learn about Falun Gong."

Imilda from Mississauga and her family

Imilda from Mississauga highly praised the band. She thanked the band for bringing such a good gift to Mississauga.

Jaurne and his wife

Jaurne from Mississauga is a drummer from another parade group. He and his wife watched the Divine Land Marching Band. "I have performed in many parades that the Divine Land Marching Band also performed in. This is my first time seeing them play. They are truly great," he said. Jaurne's wife commented, "They are very peaceful and bring the peacefulness to people. I deeply thank them."

Several Asian citizens were happy to see the Chinese band in the parade several years in a row. Ms. Zhang from Beijing said, "We have freedom in Canada, so Falun Gong can freely demonstrate their beauty."

Geoff (right), a local citizen

Geoff, a local citizen, told the reporter that the band is the best.

Ivona and her family

Ivona, a local citizen, said that the band's performance was uplifting.

Hazel McCallion, the 89-year-old mayor of Mississauga

89-year-old Hazel McCallion, who has been the mayor of Mississauga for 31 years, stood at the end of the parade, greeting all the entries. She told the reporter that the Divine Land Marching Band was very good and she loved it.