(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in Canada held a large group practice and rally in front of the Toronto City Hall on Saturday, July 20, 2019, to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of protesting the persecution in China.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Jiang Zemin, former head of the CCP, launched the persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. The persecution is ongoing in China.

Former Senator Consiglio Di Nino, former MP Wladyslaw Lizon, Majed El Shafie, founder of One Free World International, Sheng Xue, vice-chairperson of The Federation for a Democratic China, and Alex Neve, the secretary-general of Amnesty International Canada spoke during the rally.

Falun Gong practitioners practice the exercises in front of the Toronto City Hall on Saturday, July 20, 2019.The rally in front of the Toronto City Hall on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Former MP: I Am Proud to Stand with You

Former Senator Consiglio Di Nino

Former Senator Consiglio Di Nino said that one of the major reasons he wanted to attend the rally was to commend practitioners’ courage. He called them heroes and said, “I am proud to stand with you.”

He said he came again this year because he wanted to continue to express his support for the practitioners and the entire Falun Gong community. He emphasized that the Falun Gong practitioners in China are never alone.

“Because our efforts are honest, upright, and kind, we can always overcome the factors that suppress people,” he said.

Former MP: The CCP Must Be Held Accountable for Its Crimes

Former MP Wladyslaw Lizon

Former MP Wladyslaw Lizon said that it was important to gather to let all those living in the free world stand together and oppose all the atrocities against Falun Gong practitioners. He said these atrocities are absolutely unacceptable.

He pointed out that in the 21^st Century, we have seen slaughter and the extraction of human organs, and so far, no one has taken responsibility for it. But the day will come when the CCP must bear responsibility for the crimes it has committed.

We Will Gather in Beijing Next Time

Majed El Shafie, founder of One Free World International

Majed El Shafie, the founder of One Free World International, said he was fortunate to be with the practitioners.

“We continue to unite and fight, no matter how powerful the enemy is, how strong the weapon is, how many troops, this enemy – the CCP – they can't stop you from practicing, they are still persecuting you, but they are not successful,” he said.

He declared that this was a day for victory. No matter what they do, we are still standing here and still standing around the world. We know one thing, our gatherings are getting bigger and bigger every day, and our enemies are getting weaker and weaker. The next time we meet, it will be in Beijing, gathering in our free land.

Vice-Chairperson of the Federation for a Democratic China: Today’s World Should Thank Falun Gong

Sheng Xue, Vice-Chairperson of The Federation for a Democratic China

Sheng Xue, poet and vice-chairperson of The Federation for a Democratic China, said, “Many of us have realized that the turning point that we have been waiting for a long time has come.

“Now most of the world's democracies have realized the evilness of the CCP and have begun to resist the penetration of the CCP. Many people have stood up to start speaking about the human rights persecution in China, and many people have already learned about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners over the past 20 years.

“So today the whole world has formed a power to destroy the CCP, the evil and tyrannical force. The coming of this turning point is because Falun Gong practitioners have paid the greatest price and made the greatest effort. So today’s world should say thank you to Falun Gong practitioners!

“In particular, the Chinese, especially those Chinese who are still patient under the CCP’s rule, should know who is contributing and paying the price. The most important group is Falun Gong practitioners. So today when you are here, everyone should know that you are one of them, you are who have shaped the turning point of today, so you should be proud of it!”

Letters from Elected Officials Supporting the Rally

Letter from MP Garnett GenuisLetter from Judy Sgro, member of the House of Commons of Canada.Letter from Logan Kanapathi, Member of the Legislative Assembly of OntarioLetter from Sam Oosterhoff, Member of the Ontario Provincial ParliamentLetter from Suze Morrison, Member of the Legislative Assembly of OntarioLetter from Josh Matlow, Toronto City CouncillorLetter from MP Rachael Harder of Alberta