(Minghui.org) The Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Toronto and the Chinese Consulate are located near the city center, and are surrounded by many government office buildings and the consulates of other countries. Many people pass through the area every day.

Falun Gong practitioners continue telling people about the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution, and many mainstream people, including company owners, representatives of charitable organizations, and national security officials expressed their support for their efforts. They leave their business cards or their names and phone numbers, and ask practitioners to contact them if they can help. Kind-hearted people also frequently bring them food and bottled water.

Falun Gong practitioners collect signatures in front of the Chinese Consulate in Toronto on a petition to end the persecution.

Government Employee: You Can Contact Me or the Relevant Authorities

A man who works for Canada’s national security agency left his contact information. He explained that he works in Ottawa and was in Toronto on business. He said Canada’s security agencies are closely monitoring the activities of foreign powers in Canada, including the interference against the Falun Gong community.

“We have been paying close attention to these situations,” he said. “Canada is a country governed by the rule of law. No form of transnational interference, threats, or harassment should occur here. If you are aware of any interference against Falun Gong, please contact me or the relevant authorities. These are very serious issues for us.”

He said that Canadian society has been paying increasing attention to the issue of transnational interference in recent years, and that protecting the safety and freedom of citizens is one of the national security agencies’ important responsibilities.

Financial Professional: More Canadians Should Stand Up for You

A professional working in the Toronto financial industry took one of the flyers a Falun Gong practitioner was distributing to passersby. He read it and then talked with her. He gave her his contact information and asked her to update him.

When a practitioner contacted him a few days later. He said he worked in the financial industry for many years and had always been concerned about human rights issues in China. He said that many Canadians are unaware of the persecution Falun Gong practitioners suffer in China, and that some media reports have only made things more confusing.

He was indignant when he mentioned recent inaccurate reports published by some Western media outlets about Shen Yun Performing Arts. “I’ve read those articles,” he said. “Much of it is completely untrue. I think there are many lies and misleading statements in them.”

He said he’s seen Shen Yun and knew many of his friends in the financial sector greatly appreciated it. He also said Shen Yun showcases the beauty of traditional culture and art, and is nothing like how some media outlets portray it.

“I will tell my colleagues about this,” he said. “People who truly understand Shen Yun will know that what’s said in those attacks is not true.”

He also said that in a free and democratic country, people have the right to their beliefs and the right to express their opinions. “I believe more Canadians should stand up and support you,” he said firmly. “Any attacks and transnational persecution against Falun Gong should be condemned.”

Non-Practitioners Distribute Flyers

Mr. Yan said a very friendly Western man helped him collect signatures and distribute flyers for about an hour. He also pointed to the flyers and talked to passersby.

A man helps practitioners distribute fliers.

One morning, a middle-aged Western man took some flyers from Ms. Pan and he distributed them to passersby. He learned the exercises from Ms. Pan a few days prior. He explained he was a government employee who passed by the area every day on his way to work, and he understood what practitioners were doing. So he wanted to help them distribute materials.

Art Center Employee

Tina said, “A woman who works at an arts center in Toronto chatted with me and said she was a Christian. I told her, ‘God is saving people, and looks at peoples’ hearts.’ She seemed to understand.” The woman told Tina that she was the coordinator of an arts group, and that her friends were willing to sign the petition to support Falun Gong. So she wrote down the names of her family and friends. Before leaving, she happily took photos with practitioners.

An art center employee (2nd from left) took a photo with Falun Gong practitioners.

Two tourists from Ireland talked with Tina for a long time, and learned the facts about Falun Gong and the CCP’s transnational persecution. They were very surprised that such things are happening and thanked Tina for telling them. They happily took a photo with her.

Canadian: I Want to Help You Organize a Torture Exhibition

Ms. Li said, “One day I handed a well-dressed Western woman a flier, and she smiled and took one out of her bag. She asked if I could speak English or use translation software.”

Ms. Li used translation software to understand what she was saying: “I am very concerned about your situation and I want to help you. I see that many people do not take your fliers seriously. Most people take the fliers and then throw them away. I want to find a place and some people to show a scene [like a torture exhibition] so that people can empathize with you and see the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and understand how painful it would be if this happened to them. This way, more people will support you.”

Ms. Li thanked her and told her she would definitely pass on her offer to the English-speaking practitioners so they could contact her.

Elderly Man Received Blessing After Signing the Petition

One day, an elderly man, pushing a walker, slowly crossed the street and approached the practitioners. He gestured that he wanted to sign a petition because he knew the practitioners didn’t speak English. A practitioner handed him a petition form. With trembling hands, he neatly signed his name and carefully filled in the comments section. The practitioner gave him a small lotus flower as a gift, and he excitedly pressed his hands before turning to cross the street to return to the nursing home.

The practitioners were astonished to see him lift his walker and stride confidently across the road, completely forgetting that he needed it to walk. Afterward, he gave the practitioners a victory sign. One practitioner said, “A life that chooses light and kindness is immediately rewarded.”

Some people took some petition forms home and said they would collect signatures from their family, friends, and colleagues.