Canada: Calgary Dafa Practitioners' Symbolic Public Trial of Jiang Wins Attention from Both the Media and Passersby

On September 29, 2003, Dafa practitioners staged a symbolic public trial of Jiang Zemin on Walk Street in downtown Calgary, attracting the attention of several local media outlets and people passing by.

In the morning, Falun Gong practitioners arrived outside the Chinese Consulate in Calgary to practise the exercises and send forth righteous thoughts. Calgary TV station "A Channel" first came to conduct interviews. While in an interview, practitioners and the host of a TV programme talked about Falun Gong and the persecution in China, and why the practitioners to peacefully appeal outside the Chinese Consulate every day. They also talked about how as long as people with a sense of justice around the world work together, we will definitely stop the persecution that is based on lies and forced upon Falun Gong and Falun Gong practitioners. When the host learned that there would be a symbolic public trial of Jiang at noon downtown, they happily accepted the practitioners' invitation.

In front of the Chinese Consulate in Calgary, a Falun Gong practitioner is being interviewed by the host of TV station “A-Channel”	A practitioner shares her understanding with a journalist from the "Calgary Herald”
A practitioner is being interviewed by a reporter from “CFCN TV”
Practitioners talk with a member of the legislative Jon Lord	Prior to the public trial, assistant representative of MP Rob Anders, James Istvanffy, gives a speech, condemning Jiang's persecution of Falun Gong
Representative of MP James Istvanffy plays a role in the symbolic public trials
Prior to the public trial, some practitioners demonstrate the exercises	In the symbolic public trial, judge pronounces the verdict

At 12:30 p.m., the symbolic public trial of Jiang began. The themes of the trial were "Uphold justice, conscience and freedom, let's end the persecution of Falun Gong" and "Public trial of Jiang in the court of morality and conscience." The trial began with assistant of MP James Istvanffy making a speech on behalf of Calgary MP Rob Anders, condemning Jiang's persecution of Falun Gong. He also expressed his continuing support for Falun Gong's peaceful appeal. Later, some Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the exercises in front of the stage to the media and people passing by.

During the event, which lasted about one and a half hours, major media outlets in Calgary such as "Calgary Herald", "A-Channel TV", "CFCN TV", "Global News" and "Mt. Royal College Newspaper" sent reporters to conduct interviews with practitioners. When they learned that the persecution had happened upon Falun Gong practitioners in Calgary and the persecution is poisoning people's minds, they were astonished. They showed great interest in the photo boards displayed along the street; they took photos of them and asked for detailed information from practitioners.

People passing by were also attracted by this symbolic public trial and photo boards. After learning about the persecution in China, they signed their names on the petition to express their sympathy and support. Some Chinese people learned about the meaning of the public trial and acclaimed that Falun Gong practitioners are "truly courageous."