Twenty-four years ago, the leader of communist China vowed to eradicate Falun Gong, a hugely popular spiritual practice, and launched a far-reaching persecution campaign against its adherents that continues today.
Outside China, however, Falun Gong is embraced and celebrated in Canada as well as over 100 other countries worldwide.
On July 15, hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners gathered for a rally and marched in a parade through downtown Toronto to raise awareness about the ongoing persecution in China as well as the various human rights abuses committed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Tian Guo marching band participated in a parade through downtown Toronto on July 15, 2023, to call on the Chinese regime to end its persecution of Falun Gong. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times)
Speaking at the rally before the parade, Joel Chipkar, spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, emphasized the widespread popularity and health benefits of Falun Gong in China before the CCP launched its persecution campaign on July 20, 1999….