President of ACTRA Toronto Performers Writes to Canadian Prime Minister to Express Grave Concerns Over the Ongoing Persecution

Major human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented and affirmed the severity of this persecution. Hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners in China have died as a result of torture and extreme physical and psychological abuse with many thousands of others systematically persecuted in all their societal interactions. I have been informed that throughout this injustice, practitioners in China and around the world have responded only through peaceful means while refusing to give up Falun Gong's guiding principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.

Of the millions of Falun Gong practitioners in China, many of our fellow artists and performers have suffered from this persecution. Some of China's renowned performers and artists living abroad cannot return to China as they would face persecution for practicing Falun Gong. Renowned Canadian artist and Falun Gong practitioner Professor Kunlun Zhang was detained and tortured in a labour camp for practicing Falun Gong while visiting his ailing mother-in-law in China. Our Canadian government played a significant role in leading to the release of Professor Zhang, and fellow artists in Canada appreciate our Government's intercession. However, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners continue to undergo severe abuse and torture in labour camps and prisons throughout China.

For artists and performers, truth is the searchlight that illuminates our work. Many of us infuse this vocation with the hope that we can contribute to a more just and tolerant society. Canada is acknowledged as one of the most tolerant societies in the world. We feel it is incumbent upon our Government to stand up for these cherished principles, not only for Canadians, but for all people. We ask that our Canadian government speak out to denounce this severe persecution of innocent people for their practice of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.

Sincerely,
Signature,

Richard W. Hardacre

President

ACTRA Toronto Performers

CC: The Honorable William Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs

ACTRA Toronto Performers is the largest organization within ACTRA, with more than 13,000 members. As a leader of Canadian culture, since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driving organization that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of Canada's English-speaking professional performers in recorded media.