(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in Toronto, Canada rallied at City Hall on May 13, 2013, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. A number of government officials attended the event in person to show their support for Falun Gong, and practitioners danced, sang, and recited poetry.

In the afternoon, the practitioners paraded through Chinatown. Along the route, many people took photos and video of the parade. Some Chinese people said that they wanted to keep a photo for their own memory, others wanted to post them on online forums in China to help make more Chinese people aware of the popularity of Falun Gong around the world.

Falun Gong practitioners and supporters paraded in Toronto to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day

The Divine Land Marching Band led the parade, followed by a huge model of the book Zhuan Falun. At the end of the procession were the waist drummers.

“I Know They Will Delete My Posts, But I Will Still Post Them Anyway”

Mr. Qin works in IT and was sent to Toronto only one month ago by his company in Beijing. Hearing the band playing outside, he came out of his office to have a look.

“I didn't expect to see so many [Falun Gong practitioners]. It is awesome,” he said. “You won't see anything like this in China. I must record it and send it back to China.” Asked where he wanted to send the video, Qin said, “I will send it to my friends and relatives. I will also post it on the web. As for the online forums in China, I guess the posts will be removed by the web administrator the next day. But even so, I will still post them first so the folks in China can see the free world outside. Especially to see how strong Falun Gong is.”

While making the recording, he murmured to himself, “Whoa! So many people in the parade. It's my lucky day!” Later when he saw a Falun Gong practitioner passing out flyers along the procession, he quickly took one and said that he wanted to learn more online.

Two Countries, Two Worlds

As the procession was marching down the streets in Chinatown, Mr. Li from Shandong Province in China made a video recording on his smart phone. He said that he had come to Toronto only one week before. Li said, “This is unimaginable in China. For such a large scale parade, the Communist authorities would surely use the army, tanks and cannons to crack down on people. People here have so much freedom. A parade can even have policemen to clear the roads and protect them. China and Canada are like two countries in two different worlds.

“Actually many Chinese people know what is good and what is bad in their hearts. It is only because they live under a dictatorship, they have no other choices.”

Mr. Zhang came from south China two days before the parade. He stood on the sidewalk and watched the parade in Chinatown, Toronto. “It is a surprise to see so many people practicing Falun Gong and so many people supporting Falun Gong.” He said that he already knew that the Chinese regime forbids people to practice Falun Gong and he was shocked to see so many practitioners and supporters in Canada.

I Respect Them for Persisting for Over a Decade

Maria is a retired teacher who has lived in downtown Toronto for decades. She smiled and nodded at the parade marching down the road in front of her. “I know Falun Gong, I understand Falun Gong and I know the truth. For more than a decade, I have seen the Falun Gong practitioners passing out flyers and talking to people in Chinatown every day. I support them and I respect them,” she said.

She continued, “I know the Chinese Communist Party is evil and is persecuting such a good group of people who believe in Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. The gods won't allow it. I hope Falun Gong practitioners will continue their efforts. Actually I know a lot of people support them. With more people to help end the persecution, I believe the day will come soon.”