CALGARY—Several dignitaries attended a rally on Saturday morning to welcome the Tian Guo Marching Band and Falun Dafa practitioners of Calgary who took part in the Calgary Stampede Parade.
This was the second year in a row that the Tian Guo Marching Band participated in the Stampede parade. The band, which was first formed in New York City, now has a contingent in seven countries around the world. All Tian Guo musicians practice Falun Dafa, a self-improvement practice consisting of meditation, exercises, and living according to the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance.
The rally, which was held at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, was followed by a Falun Dafa parade through Chinatown.
Speaking to the Falun Dafa practitioners, the Honourable Jason Kenney, federal Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism, thanked the Falun Dafa Association for “this magnificent contribution to our Calgary Stampede celebration.”
“I know that you bring a great deal of colour and enthusiasm to our Stampede celebration and that is appreciated by all Calgarians,” he said.
“Let me say that I have a particular respect for the Falun Dafa Association. I know that many of you have come from all across Canada to be here, and many of you in fact are immigrants to Canada, you chose Canada, and you brought your gifts with you, and you’re sharing those gifts with other Canadians, and we thank you for that.”
One of those gifts, said Mr. Kenney, is a “profound appreciation for peace” that is focused on spiritual values, a willingness to “give of ourselves to others,” and appreciation for freedom and freedom of conscious.
Referring to the persecution Falun Dafa practitioners are suffering under the communist regime in China, Mr. Kenney said Canada provides refuge for those who seek freedom and wish to express their spiritual views free of persecution.
“I know that you bring a great deal of colour and enthusiasm to our Stampede celebration and that is appreciated by all Calgarians,” he said.
“Let me say that I have a particular respect for the Falun Dafa Association. I know that many of you have come from all across Canada to be here, and many of you in fact are immigrants to Canada, you chose Canada, and you brought your gifts with you, and you’re sharing those gifts with other Canadians, and we thank you for that.”
One of those gifts, said Mr. Kenney, is a “profound appreciation for peace” that is focused on spiritual values, a willingness to “give of ourselves to others,” and appreciation for freedom and freedom of conscious.
Referring to the persecution Falun Dafa practitioners are suffering under the communist regime in China, Mr. Kenney said Canada provides refuge for those who seek freedom and wish to express their spiritual views free of persecution.
“I may say as the Minister of Immigration, we are glad that Canada has given refuge and protection to many practitioners of Falun Gong, Falun Dafa, who otherwise might face terrible persecution.”
He also thanked the practitioners for reminding Canadians about the importance of freedom, and noted that Canada has provided a safe haven from persecution.
“I want you to know that we stand in solidarity. All Canadians stand in solidarity with Falun Gong and Falun Dafa practitioners in China . . . who are facing persecution, and we are glad that we are a place of freedom so that you can practice your faith, your convictions freely here as Canadian citizens,” he said.
“Thank you all for all you do, to contribute to Canada.”
He also thanked the practitioners for reminding Canadians about the importance of freedom, and noted that Canada has provided a safe haven from persecution.
“I want you to know that we stand in solidarity. All Canadians stand in solidarity with Falun Gong and Falun Dafa practitioners in China . . . who are facing persecution, and we are glad that we are a place of freedom so that you can practice your faith, your convictions freely here as Canadian citizens,” he said.
“Thank you all for all you do, to contribute to Canada.”
Also speaking at the rally was Dr. David Swann, leader of the Alberta Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition in the Alberta Legislature. Mr. Swann thanked the Tian Guo musicians for coming to perform in Calgary and showing Calgarians their “great talent.”
“I know you are going to show Calgary the true spirit of Stampede, which is compassion and honesty and forbearance which are the principles that you speak so well of in your lives, as well as in your artistic presentations,” Mr. Swann said.
“I admire you. You are a great tribute to China, to rights, to human rights that we as Albertans and Canadians feel so strongly about and support you in your efforts for justice and freedom to express your faith, and freedom of speech, and all the democratic values that we stand for, in Calgary and Alberta and Canada.”
Mr. Swann also thanked the Falun Dafa Association for inviting Shen Yun Performing Arts to Calgary every year and thanked all Falun Dafa practitioners at the rally for “joining us today, to celebrate the human spirit that you bring forward in so many ways.”
“Best of success to you, long live Falun Dafa.”
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Mr. Swann said he sees the Tian Guo band as a “very high quality band” that lifts the spirits of the audience with their performance.
Going deeper than just playing music, Mr. Swann said the band “touched many hearts and minds with their deeper message around the right of everyone, the truth, compassion, how we honour that in Canada, and they should begin to honour that in China.”
“Best of success to you, long live Falun Dafa.”
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Mr. Swann said he sees the Tian Guo band as a “very high quality band” that lifts the spirits of the audience with their performance.
Going deeper than just playing music, Mr. Swann said the band “touched many hearts and minds with their deeper message around the right of everyone, the truth, compassion, how we honour that in Canada, and they should begin to honour that in China.”
He added that he is “concerned” after hearing CSIS director Richard Fadden’s recent remarks regarding some Canadian politicians being under the influence of foreign governments, particularly China.
“I look forward to hearing more and speaking up against any attempt to influence in a negative way our high values of human rights and freedoms.”
The crowd also heard from Ms. Liu, an elderly Falun Gong practitioner who was persecuted by the Chinese regime. She was recently rescued by the Canadian government and reunited with her children living in Calgary.
“I am really thankful to the government of Canada. Thank you,” she said through a translator as she burst into tears.
“I look forward to hearing more and speaking up against any attempt to influence in a negative way our high values of human rights and freedoms.”
The crowd also heard from Ms. Liu, an elderly Falun Gong practitioner who was persecuted by the Chinese regime. She was recently rescued by the Canadian government and reunited with her children living in Calgary.
“I am really thankful to the government of Canada. Thank you,” she said through a translator as she burst into tears.
City of Calgary Alderman Joe Connelly joined others in welcoming the Tian Guo Marching Band to Calgary and listened as one of the event hosts read his welcome letter to the band. He also addressed the crowd and Ms. Liu for sharing her story.
“I want to acknowledge Ms. Liu for her great words. That was a great speech that she had, that gave us some insight into the challenges that we have,” said Mr. Connelly, who is a member of the Calgary Stampede Board of Directors.
“I want to acknowledge Ms. Liu for her great words. That was a great speech that she had, that gave us some insight into the challenges that we have,” said Mr. Connelly, who is a member of the Calgary Stampede Board of Directors.
“This great country of ours, Canada, is well defined by its human rights and its friendly people, and I don’t think there is any city in this country that demonstrates that better than Calgary.”
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Mr. Connolly said it is “wonderful” that the Tian Guo Marching Band could take part in the Stampede Parade. The future of the Calgary Stampede, he said, is from “these fabulous cultures that come in that enrich the Stampede and take it to the next level.”
Also commenting on Fadden’s remarks, Mr. Connolly said that as a politician, he always follows “cowboy ethics” when making decisions.
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Mr. Connolly said it is “wonderful” that the Tian Guo Marching Band could take part in the Stampede Parade. The future of the Calgary Stampede, he said, is from “these fabulous cultures that come in that enrich the Stampede and take it to the next level.”
Also commenting on Fadden’s remarks, Mr. Connolly said that as a politician, he always follows “cowboy ethics” when making decisions.
“At the end of the day, there’s right and there’s wrong, and there’s nothing in between,” he said.
After greeting the attendees in Mandarin, Alberta MLA Rob Anderson of the Wildrose Alliance Party encouraged Falun Gong practitioners to continue their efforts to stop the persecution of their fellow practitioners in China.
“It’s just so important that you continue all the great work that you do getting your message out and making sure that we can in some way hopefully encourage the Chinese government to do the right thing and to make sure that your … friends and family in China live with the same freedoms and have the same freedoms that you enjoy in Canada,” he said.
“What you are doing, and of course the Falun Gong and your story and the amazing people that you are and what you represent—freedom and the ability to practice religion freely and without interference and without persecution—that’s a story that all Canadians and all Albertans need to know and need to get behind.”
Mr. Anderson also thanked Wildorse Alliance Party leader Danielle Smith for attending the rally.
Liberal MLA Kent Hehr said it was his “honour and privilege” to take part in the event.
“My wish is that more countries, and of course your country [China], would also embrace some of these values to allow people to lead lives that follow their own dreams, their own desires and to live lives that are most fulfilling to them,” he said.
Alderman John Mar, the only elected Chinese member of the Calgary City Council, also attended the rally.
“It’s my great honour to speak with you today, to share this event with you, and to honour you in everything you do,” he said.
Alderman Rick McIver also welcomed the Tian Guo Marching Band to Calgary and said it is great that the band could take part in the Stampede celebrations.
“We’re very proud to share our city with the Tian Guo marching band, very proud to have you here, very proud that there are several members of the Calgary City Council, members of other orders of government,” he said.
“In this democratic country where everyone is invited to come, to party, to have a great Stampede, and to march, and we welcome you here today and we wish you a very successful parade.”
After greeting the attendees in Mandarin, Alberta MLA Rob Anderson of the Wildrose Alliance Party encouraged Falun Gong practitioners to continue their efforts to stop the persecution of their fellow practitioners in China.
“It’s just so important that you continue all the great work that you do getting your message out and making sure that we can in some way hopefully encourage the Chinese government to do the right thing and to make sure that your … friends and family in China live with the same freedoms and have the same freedoms that you enjoy in Canada,” he said.
“What you are doing, and of course the Falun Gong and your story and the amazing people that you are and what you represent—freedom and the ability to practice religion freely and without interference and without persecution—that’s a story that all Canadians and all Albertans need to know and need to get behind.”
Mr. Anderson also thanked Wildorse Alliance Party leader Danielle Smith for attending the rally.
Liberal MLA Kent Hehr said it was his “honour and privilege” to take part in the event.
“My wish is that more countries, and of course your country [China], would also embrace some of these values to allow people to lead lives that follow their own dreams, their own desires and to live lives that are most fulfilling to them,” he said.
Alderman John Mar, the only elected Chinese member of the Calgary City Council, also attended the rally.
“It’s my great honour to speak with you today, to share this event with you, and to honour you in everything you do,” he said.
Alderman Rick McIver also welcomed the Tian Guo Marching Band to Calgary and said it is great that the band could take part in the Stampede celebrations.
“We’re very proud to share our city with the Tian Guo marching band, very proud to have you here, very proud that there are several members of the Calgary City Council, members of other orders of government,” he said.
“In this democratic country where everyone is invited to come, to party, to have a great Stampede, and to march, and we welcome you here today and we wish you a very successful parade.”
