Canada: MP Joe Comartin Shows Support for Falun Gong and an End to the Persecution in China

On July 15, 2003, Canadian Member of Parliament Joe Comartin, on behalf of the constituency of Windsor-St. Clair, wrote to Falun Gong practitioners on the occasion of the 7.20 event in Toronto, to extend his regards along with his support for the Falun Gong practitioners both in Canada and in China. Below is the letter:

On behalf of the constituency of Windsor-St. Clair, I would like to extend to you our regards, along with my support for the Falun Gong practitioners both here in Canada and in China. Your organization's ongoing commitment to social justice in light of the persecution facing Falun Gong's 70-million-plus practitioners in China is inspiring. Equally as stirring is your clear, vocal and sustained opposition to the oppression currently facing these practitioners.

Please, allow me once again to express my regrets for being unable to attend this important rally. My colleagues in the NDP and in parliament are strongly behind your efforts in raising public awareness with respect to the suffering and crimes being perpetrated by the Chinese authorities against the Falun Gong practitioners. Your rally of July 16 is a testament to your relentless commitment to end the torture, murder and imprisonment of thousands of innocent people. It is also evidence that the plight of one person is the plight of us all; that equality, justice and a genuine respect for life are all universal values that need to be vehemently upheld.

Throughout my political career, and as a youth, I have organized, as well as participated in, several peaceful demonstrations. While the issues and world events that have motivated me to publicly express my opposition might have changed throughout the years, there has been one constant: I have always aggressively challenged social injustice in all of its forms. Your rally is another opportunity to express opposition to the troubling state of affairs facing the estimated 100 million Falun Gong practitioners in China. It is proof that hearts and minds cannot be repressed, nor the human spirit controlled.

I wish you a peaceful and successful rally. And please, don't hesitate to contact me in the future if I might be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Joe Comartin, MP
Windsor -- St. Clair