Toronto City Council Member Speaks at Mid-Autumn Festival Organized by "Friends of Falun Gong" (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On September 12 2004, "Friends of Falun Gong" organized the annual Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival) Celebration in Milliken Park. Over one thousand residents attended the celebration. City Council member Mr. Bas Balkissoon gave a speech praising how Falun Gong could benefit the next generation.

Milliken Park is a beautiful place with lots of trees, birds, and a lake. People like to do morning exercises, and the children like to play here. The activities of the celebration were rich and colorful, and they attracted many people from different segments of society. The participants could get a tasty meal, and enjoy performances by the Toronto Lotus Art Ensemble as well as demonstrations of traditional Chinese arts and crafts and free Falun Gong exercise lessons.

Toronto City Council member Mr. Balkissoon attended the celebration in person and gave a speech. He thanked the "Friends of Falun Gong" organization for inviting him to the party. He said to the Falun Gong practitioners that their beliefs are very good and they are blessed.

Mr. Balkissoon stated that he was very supportive of Falun Gong practitioners and their ideals and efforts. He believes that Falun Gong practitioners' efforts should be recognized world-wide, and that he recognized their efforts. He also said that everyone is entitled to basic human rights, and he encouraged the Falun Gong practitioners to continue their efforts in asking for their basic human rights. He said that you might not see dramatic changes now but the next generation would benefit from what practitioners were doing now. In the end, he wished every participant a happy day.

Canada "Friends of Falun Gong" was established in 2000. It is composed of enthusiastic supporters for freedom of belief and human rights. One member said that Falun Gong practitioners promoted the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, that they displayed peacefulness and rationality in the face of violence, and that this represented the most noble aspects of humanity. This has touched many Canadians' hearts. He said that their organization is very aware of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and they hope to raise more attention among the public to end the hatred and violence against Falun Gong. In order to let more people know the truth about Falun Gong, they organize an activity here every year.

The Chairman of Canada's "Friends of Falun Gong" Association Mr. Hong Shizhong said that in the past two years, over one thousand people have participated in the event. He was very happy that all the participants were having a good time. He said that more and more people now are bravely expressing their support to Falun Gong, and not being afraid when they encounter deceitful lies. He wished everyone to work together to end the persecution of Falun Gong.

Mr. Liu, who was learning the exercises, said that the activities were very beneficial. His family had their meals first and then watched the performance. Later, he saw that many people were learning the Falun Gong exercises, so his family came to learn the exercises as well.

"Dot the eyes of the lion" opening ceremony

Lion dance

Lotus Art Ensemble performs Fan Dance

The food is delicious

Children's "handkerchief" dance

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2004/9/16/84348.html

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