Grand parade in Toronto on September 29
At 1pm on September 29, fifty female practitioners dressed in white gowns led the parade while holding in their hands pictures of the practitioners who died after mistreatment in police custody. Following them was a huge wreath 7 feet in diameter that had a solid Chinese character "mourning" in the middle. Several banners followed the wreath in turn. The banners read: "Stop persecuting Falun Gong immediately," "The brutal persecution of Falun Gong on the land we love is pushing the Chinese nation to a disastrous abyss."
The parade consisted of local practitioners and also those from nearby cities. It started from the city Government Square and continued along the central boulevard across the city before reaching the Chinese Consulate in Toronto. While the parade proceeded along the wide street with the "Pudu" and "Jishi" music resonating through the air, all the Canadian flags for several miles along the street also happened to be flying at half-mast, forming a solemn and heart-wrenching scene.
Practitioners spread out on both sides of the street after reaching the Chinese Consulate. Many people, including the police on duty, were touched by the huge wreath, the pictures of the deceased practitioners, the eye-catching banners, and the perseverance and sobriety shown on the faces of the practitioners. The consulate once again unreasonably refused to take our appeal letter, so the police said they would like to submit the letter for us. After the event was over, the police came to us to ask for Dafa materials and one of the police officers apologized to us because the Consulate had also refused to accept them letter when they had tried to submit it on our behalf.
This is the manifestation of great compassion; this is the denouncement of evil and sin.
Continuation of the well-known "Yellow T-shirt Activity"
In the afternoon of September 29 and 30, Toronto practitioners extended the well-known "Yellow T-shirt Activity" we had participated in in New York to the streets in Toronto. Practitioners practiced exercises and distributed materials and newspapers at the intersections of several main streets in Downtown Toronto. In addition, several cars with signs reading "Falun Dafa" on the top also paraded through the streets. Practitioners are using all possible methods to let more people know the truth of Dafa and they are assisting Teacher to save people with great compassion.
Nightlong Candlelight Vigil
While practitioners in Mainland China are stepping forward to validate Dafa under enormous pressure, dozens of practitioners here also went to the Consulate to have group practice beginning at 8am on September 30. They wanted to show that their hearts are with the practitioners in Mainland China and that all practitioners will spread and protect Dafa with a pure heart.
At noon, many practitioners gathered at the city Government Square to do the exercises. They all wore yellow T-shirts printed with "China: Stop Persecuting Falun Gong." Later they attended the flag-raising activity held by the Consulate along with a few Chinese groups.
The "Yellow T-shirt Activity" continued on the streets until the evening.
At 7pm, about one hundred practitioners gathered again in front of the Chinese Consulate. The huge wreath, pictures of the deceased practitioners, meditating practitioners with their legs crossed, and the shining candles attracted the attention and respect of passing pedestrians and people in their cars. All of the passing cars slowed down and some blew their horns to salute the practitioners.
With the music resounding throughout the heavens and the earth, with their pure hearts, Toronto practitioners sent overseas practitioners' their great respect, specifically to the genuine practitioners in China whom, despite being detained and beaten, are firmly determined in cultivation.
The candles are still sparkling in the night by the time we are sending out this news. They will shine till the dawn.
September 29, 2000