At 3:30pm a joint press conference was held outside the Hong Kong Economy and Trade Office.
A spokesperson from Canada's branch of the Global Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation, Mr. Wu Jiantao, expressed that the purpose of the Article 23 legislation is to establish a legal channel to extend the persecution of Falun Gong to Hong Kong.
The Toronto Falun Gong Association was one of the organisations attending the activity. Representative Ms. Zhong stated that as a Falun Gong practitioner, she fully understood why 500,000 Hong Kong people wanted to protest, because when a government ignores people's opinions and brushes away the public's demands, then peaceful protest becomes the only way to express opinions. She emphasised that in China, Falun Gong practitioners do not have any channels through which to appeal. The government not only arrests the appealers and then persecutes them, but also uses media to spread fabricated news to slander Falun Gong practitioners. With no alternatives, Falun Gong practitioners use all possible ways to tell the truth of Falun Gong to the society. Ms. Zhong told reporters that she has deep respect for the Hong Kong people's courage. She believed that the Hong Kong people will safeguard their beliefs and continue to fight for their human rights and freedom.
Ms. Liu, who was originally from Xinzhu in Taiwan, said in an interview that just 6 years after Hong Kong returned to China it is facing the danger of China's despotic rule. This raises serious concerns about the promise the Chinese government has made to Taiwan.
From the Hong Kong Economy and Trade Office to the Chinese consulate, about 200 participants held hands and used small banners to express their demands, "Against the evil legislation, save Hong Kong." "Against Article 23 Evil Legislation." "Release Falun Gong Practitioners." Participants included both the elderly and young children.
Also, the Global Coalition Against Hong Kong Article 23 Legislation Canada Branch is actively appealing to the Canadian government, NGOs and people to voice their support for Hong Kong's freedom and future.
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