(Clearwisdom.net) On March 18, 2007, Montreal's 183rd St. Patrick's Day Parade was held on St. Catherine Ave. More than 120 groups participted. As the only Chinese group, Falun Gong practitioners took part in the parade for the fifth time.
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The parade started at noon. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police led the parade. Mr. Jean Charest, the governor of Quebec, Mr. Gerald Tremblay, the mayor of Montreal, and Mr. Stephane Dion, the president of Liberal Party, also attended the parade.
The Falun Gong group consisted of exercise demonstrations, lion dancers, waist drummers and a float. Big banners told people that Falun Dafa and the principle of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” are good. The performances were warmly welcomed by the spectators.
Ms. Yao Lian came to Canada from Mainland China two months ago. She attended the parade. She told the reporter: “Falun Gong is welcomed by people in Canada. Many people waved to me during the parade. I felt good. It is different in China. Falun Gong practitioners are being persecuted.”
She told the reporter that her husband was arrested in Beijing two weeks ago because he practices Falun Gong. She hasn't heard from him since. Mr. Ma Jian, Ms. Yao’s husband, is the manger of the Asia branch of PCM Pumps. He was supposed to attend a conference in Angers. However, on February 28, a dozen policemen broke into his office and arrested him.
Ms. Yao Lian said: “I came to the parade hoping that more people will learn about Falun Gong through it, and help to stop the persecution.”
