(Minghui.org) Since the first flag-raising ceremony to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day was held on April 29 in Barrie, other Canadian cities in Ontario have followed suit. Between May 3 and 6 flags were raised in Brighton, Amherstbury, Orillia, and Orangeville.
Brighton: Thanking Falun Dafa for Helping Communities
Brian Ostrander, Mayor of Brighton, raised a Falun Dafa flag at 9 a.m. on May 3 while the Tian Guo Marching Band played “Falun Dafa Is Good.”
Mayor Ostrander said he was honored and wanted to reiterate the importance of the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He said they were consistent with peace and harmony and respect for each individual, and that these principles are important in promoting cultural diversity in Northumberland-Peterborough South.
As the flag was being raised, Mayor Ostrander and the other participants said they wished to celebrate principles of Falun Dafa and thank the practice for helping their communities.
Philip Lawrence, Member of Parliament (MP) for Northumberland-Peterborough South, supported the event by sending a representative, Mr. Ashik Hossain, to the flag-raising ceremony. During his speech, Hossain said Philip Lawrence agrees with Falun Dafa and believes the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance can benefit everyone.
Amherstbury: Improving People’s Health and Energy
The City of Amherstbury held a flag ceremony at 10 a.m. on the same day. It was raining lightly but stopped right before the event began. As Mayor Michael Prue read the proclamation, the sun came out and everyone applauded.
In his speech, Mayor Prue said the persecution of Falun Dafa in China is wrong. “This is an organisation [the Chinese Communist Party] which I cannot understand in my heart of hearts. It [Falun Dafa] is simple exercises, it is talking about Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, and it is talking about all the things that we should want to do,” he said. He said when he traveled to Hong Kong recently, he did not see practitioners like he used to. “It’s become very repressive and so I’m hoping one day Falun Dafa will return to its birthplace in China, and the people of China can understand exactly what was going on,” he added.
Mayor Prue then read the proclamation:
“Whereas: Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient Chinese spiritual discipline in the Buddhist tradition. It consists of moral teachings, meditation and gentle exercises that are a unique and effective way to improve people’s health and energy levels; and,
“Whereas: Falun Dafa was first introduced by Master Li Hongzhi in 1992 in China. Transcending cultural and racial boundaries, today Falun Dafa is being practiced by more than 100 million people in over 114 countries from all walks of life; and,
“Whereas: At the core of Falun Dafa are the values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Through consistent and dedicated practice, the student of Falun Gong comes to achieve a state of selflessness, greater insight and awareness, inner purity an balance; and,
“Whereas: The great compassion and forbearance demonstrated by Falun Dafa practitioners under the Chinese Communist Regime’s most severe persecution have touched every kindhearted human being; and,
“Whereas: Falun Dafa practitioners in the communities across Canada celebrate Falun Dafa Day on May 13 and this year marks its 32nd anniversary.
“Now Therefore, I, Mayor Michael Prue, on behalf of the Town of Amherstbury Council, do hereby proclaim May 13, 2024 as ‘Falun Dafa Day’ in the Town of Amherstbury and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.”
Flag-Raising in Sunshine City
Known as the Sunshine City, Orillia was one of the first cities in Canada to raise a flag to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day—this marks the fourth year the city has held the event. The ceremony was held at 11 a.m. on May 6. Mayor Don Mclsaac read the proclamation.
Orangeville: Much Needed in Our Society
Mayor Lisa Post hosted a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day in Orangeville at noon on May 6, 2024.
After Mayor Post welcomed everyone to the ceremony, she said the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are needed in our society more than ever.
She then read the proclamation:
“Whereas, Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) is an advanced exercise and spiritual practice for mind and body that honours the universal values of Truthfulness Compassion, and Forbearance; and
“Whereas, Falun Dafa has benefited both physically and spiritually tens of millions of people from diverse cultural backgrounds in over 100 countries, including Canada, since its public introduction in China in May 1992; and
“Whereas, Falun Dafa transcends cultural and racial boundaries and contributes to a more peaceful, tolerant, and compassionate society; and
“Whereas, Falun Dafa practitioners in communities across Canada are celebrating Falun Dafa day on May 13 to mark this year as the 32nd Anniversary; and
“Now Therefore, I, Mayor Lisa Post, on behalf of Council, do hereby proclaim May 13, 2024 as ‘Falun Dafa Day’ in the Town of Orangeville.”
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