(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in the greater Toronto area participated in Canada Day parades in Mississauga and Scarborough on July 1, 2015. The Divine Land Marching Band and Waist Drum Troupe were invited to attend both events, as they have been in past years. Their colorful and moving performances once again brought joy and great information about Falun Gong to parade spectators.
Divine Land Marching Band and Waist Drum Troupe in the Mississauga Canada Day Parade
Divine Land Marching Band and Waist Drum Troupe in the Scarborough Canada Day Parade
A Chinese lady saw the “Falun Dafa” banner approaching and told her husband in excitement, “Falun Gong is coming! Hurry! Take pictures!” Her husband took a picture for her in front of the Falun Gong procession. They also took group pictures with their friends with the Falun Gong procession in the background.
Ms. Li from Beijing also took a lot of pictures of the Falun Gong procession with her friends. She said happily, “We see Falun Gong in the parade every year. They are the best! They have the neatest movements and the largest procession. We know Falun Gong pretty well.”
A few Cantonese-speaking Chinese were excited to see Falun Gong procession approaching. They said, “Hurry! Take pictures!” A woman told the reporter, “It's great! Wonderful! Imposing!” Her husband grabbed the iPad from her, and said, “You are too busy. Let me take pictures.” She continued to tell the reporter, “We wouldn't be able to find it in China. So, we are so excited to see it in Canada! All my family like it.”
Ms. Ma immigrated to Canada 20 years ago. She was excited to see the Divine Land Marching Band for the first time. She followed the Falun Gong procession throughout the parade, and told the reporter, “I didn't know it would be so moving! I took many pictures...I really like the way Falun Gong presented itself. I have also watched Shen Yun. I like it too. Very elegant and graceful! It showed our traditional Chinese culture. I have also watched shows organized by the Chinese Consulate. I know why people didn't want to go even with free ticket. It's poor taste.”
When talking about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, Ms. Ma expressed her anger with the CCP, “The nature of the CCP is hooligan. How can anyone reason with hooligans? [...] The CCP has killed so many people. Following the CCP will bring bad luck.”
Mr. Zhang, a store owner, watched the parade in front of his store. He said, “Falun Gong is the most impressive entry in the parade every year. They look so energized!” When talking about Jiang Zemin, the former head of the CCP who launched the persecution of Falun Gong, Mr. Zhang said, “Jiang deserves death penalty for what he did to China and its people. He is close to his doom.”
Zhang suddenly remembered something. He asked the reporter, “Could you follow me in? My mother-in-law hasn't got a chance to quit the party.” She was watching Falun Gong practitioners from store window. After the reporter told her about the significance of quitting the party, she happily agreed.
Amy (second from left), Amelia (second from right) and their friends enjoyed watching the Falun Gong procession and wanted to learn more about Falun Gong.
John extended his arms and said that the Divine Land Marching Band “is great! I like their music, their costumes, their smile, and everything!”
William and his friends take photos with practitioners
Alex Wilson, New Democratic Party candidate in Scarborough said, “This band is so powerful and exciting! I like them! I support them!”