(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners gathered in Toronto's Chinatown on the afternoon of April 20, 2013, to support the 136 million Chinese people who have quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations. The practitioners formed a “Great Wall of Truth” along the road, with colorful, informational banners, drawing attention to the 14-year persecution of Falun Dafa in China. They also collected signatures from concerned passersby, calling for an immediate end to the persecution.
Falun Dafa practitioners form a “Great Wall of Truth” in Toronto's Chinatown
Passersby sign petition calling for a stop to the persecution and an end to the CCP's crimes of organ harvesting
Over 5,000 Toronto Residents Sign Petition to Support Falun Dafa
During the event, Dafa practitioners helped 28 Chinese people quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations the Communist Youth League and the Young Pioneers, and collected 128 signatures. Since February of this year, over 5,000 signatures have been collected on a letter of petition which calls for an end to the CCP's organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners. The letter was read twice in front of the Canadian Parliament by a Member of Parliament.
In the petition letter, evidence and facts about how the CCP forcibly harvests organs from imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners is clearly stated. The evidence was collected by two Canadian independent investigators, David Matas, a human rights attorney, and David Kilgour, former Canadian MP and Secretary of State for the Asia-Pacific region. The letter urges the Canadian government to condemn the CCP’s systemic genocide of Falun Dafa practitioners and to openly call on the CCP to stop the persecution.
Ms. Chang, a volunteer who helps Chinese people withdraw from the CCP, said that many people were shocked upon learning the brutal facts of live organ harvesting. She said that some couldn’t utter a word for a long time. A few people from Eastern Europe said that they understood how a Communist regime could be so evil.
A student from York University left his contact information, saying that he was going to help collect signatures from his classmates. A Chinese person, a leader in the Toronto Asian community, not only signed the petition but also told other passersby that they should also sign to help stop the persecution.
Mr. Yu from Fujian Province, China, immigrated to Toronto five years ago. He was very sympathetic to Dafa practitioners in China. “My grandfather bought some land, so I was deemed a landowner ever since I was little. I was looked down upon and was not even allowed to join the Young Pioneers. Luckily I don’t even have to quit [any CCP organizations]. I never was one of them,” said Yu.
Qetene Mocdaroed and Bnendem Helery had just returned from a tour to Asia. They were stunned when they found out about the tortures used by the CCP on Falun Dafa practitioners. Both of them signed the petition. “This is unimaginable. People should have the right to belief,” said Mocdaroed, “The only thing we can do now is to stop this persecution together.” Helery agreed, “I support you. I know there are some countries that have many problems. Everyone should be allowed to live freely and the suppression should be stopped.”
Anne Babbit and Marcell Freitas, from Brussels, were shocked when they learned about what Falun Dafa practitioners in China have endured. “This is unbelievable, it must be stopped.”
Scott Wedge from Niagara Falls, Ontario, was angered by the persecution. “It is terrifying when such things happen. I hope it can be changed. It’s great that you are letting more people know what’s happening in China,” he said.