Toronto, Canada: Protesting the 24-Year-Long Persecution of Falun Dafa

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held activities in Queens Park in Toronto on July 15, 2023, to protest the persecution of Falun Dafa. They started the day’s events by doing the exercises, which attracted passersby to stop and watch.

Canadian politicians spoke at the noon rally. They condemned the atrocities committed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and called for an end to the CCP.

Practitioners do the Falun Dafa exercises in Queens Park in Toronto on July 15.

Former Senator: “We will speak out until the persecution ends”

Retired Senator Consiglio Di Nino addressed the rally.

Retired Senator Consiglio Di Nino said, “The issues don’t seem to change much. I speak here to give support and strength to Falun Gong practitioners.” He said that the message protesting the persecution has gained widespread attention, that people all over the world accept and recognize Falun Gong practitioners, but the CCP is still insisting on going its own way, and the CCP is doomed by not listening to the voices of the people.

He said, “I started supporting you more than ten years ago. I am impressed by one thing: The youth of the community came as children, as young men and women. I see them now as basically adults and they still come with us.” He said that, although his body has become weaker, his voice in protest of the CCP was still loud and strong. He stands beside practitioners and will do his best to support and help them.

Former MP: “The CCP should be abolished”

Wladslaw Lizon, former MP, addressed the rally.

Wladslaw Lizon, former MP (Member of Parliament), said that people who were suppressed by the CCP authorities, as well as those in the international community, must work together to end the Party’s violent persecution. Twenty-four years ago, the CCP began to persecute Falun Gong. When it made this decision, the CCP wanted to completely eliminate this belief. However, it is the CCP, a powerful and tyrannical regime, that should be eradicated.

Mr. Lizon explained that he was from Poland and that communism was overthrown in his hometown. His late father once told him that communism would never end. He was wrong. Over time, things change.

“The (persecution) methods used by the Chinese Communist Party against their own people—imprisonment, murder, torture, forced labor, colonies, or camps—these were all used in the past,” he said. “They use those methods to inflict fear. And the moment people learn to lose that fear, (the CCP) will fail, and we will be successful.”

Locals Support Falun Dafa

Maria said practicing Falun Dafa helps people feel uplifted, calm, and joyful.

Maria from Ukraine recently graduated and started her internship. When she noticed practitioners doing the exercises, she expressed her appreciation. “I think meditation can cleanse the mind. With a deeper understanding of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, you will become a calmer, more positive, optimistic, and perfect person.”

When Maria learned that Falun Dafa has been persecuted by the CCP for 24 years, ever since July 20, 1999, she said, “The perversion of the CCP regime has exceeded my understanding and imagination.”

Rose hopes practitioners continue their efforts until the persecution ends.

Originally from Jordan, Rose is a business teacher in Toronto. When she went to the park with her husband and daughter, she saw brightly dressed practitioners doing the exercises.

Rose said, “The exercises make people feel calm and strong inside, and they can self-regulate when facing setbacks and stress.”

When she heard about the persecution suffered by practitioners in China, Rose said, “I feel sympathy and regret. This is a serious topic. The practitioners must be strong and wait until the day they get through it.”

Tourist: “The persecution is wrong”

Edgar supports practitioners’ efforts to expose the persecution.

Edgar from France was visiting Toronto for a week. He stopped to watch practitioners and said, “There are so many people practicing here. The first impression they give me is peace.”

He was very concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and asked many questions. He said, “The way practitioners oppose the persecution is very peaceful. Please continue, and you will see a bright future.”

Luke (left) said the CCP persecution was wrong.

Luke and his wife are from the U.K. When they noticed practitioners meditating, theythey came over to watch and took photos.

Luke said, “I recently retired. It’s time to pay attention to my health, and I will explore Falun Gong. A practitioner told us about the persecution. I think Falun Gong is harmless, but the CCP suppresses is. It is wrong to persecute beliefs.”

His wife said, “I will tell my relatives and friends about Falun Gong. I think my niece will like it.”