While Chinese President Hu Jintao dined in Toronto on September 10th, hundreds of demonstrators express their opposition. Distinguished business "types" were dining, hoping to see Jintao close up at the event hosted by the Canadian Chinese Business Council. Two media outlets were denied access.

The international weekly The Epoch Times, and New Tang Dynasty Television network - both connected to the Falun Gong, - have given the Chinese Communist Party much grief, were e-mailed their exclusion from the event. The Canadians, however, having given their opponents media access, jumped on this event. The Chinese showed that they haven't quite learned much about democracy.

The demonstrators of this event were very interesting. Taiwanese, Tibetans, Uyghurs and the Falun Gong mingled with the striking CBC workers across the street from the Convention Centre.

A 21-year old Concordia University student, Chris Schwartz, was arrested around 7:30 PM for locking himself to furniture at the Convention Centre. He and other students were supporters of the Tibetan cause.

A very vocal Taiwanese group was very articulate in their issues. Their spokesman, a 72 year old retired Ryerson instructor, J.F. Lin, explained, " Taiwan has never been part of communist China. While Russia backed Mao Zedong, General MacArthur gave Taiwan, then Formosa, to Tsiang Kai Chek. Before that Formosa had been part of Japan since the late 1800's. We object to the 700 missiles aimed at Taiwan."

Tibetans in their colourful costumes were waving their flags and signs. Their cause is familiar to us. While the favourite corporation of Canadian government, Bombardier is building a railway for over three hundred million dollars in Tibet, Canada won't raise much of a fuss about the illegal occupation of Tibet.

The Uyghurs with their blue and white flag were also opposing their illegal occupation by China, "When the Chinese first took over they sent over a million of our people out of the country to make us weaker." A lady added, "They also take our oil." One didn't want to tell them that they are doomed to occupation because China needs the oil.

The Falun Gong were the most peaceful of all of them. Much of their demonstration was seated in the lotus position very quiet in their yellow clothing. "We're so peaceful that the police aren't even bothering with us," said Joel Chipkar, press relations for the Falun Gong, adding, "Early in the morning we will be on the overpasses along the way that Hu Jintao goes to the airport with our signs. We will ask Hu to stop persecuting us."

The demonstrators were more interesting than the president was.

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