Media Advisory: For Immediate Release – January 21, 2010
Head Tax Families Call on Kwan Kung for Strength:
Vancouver BC – Quon Lung Sai Tong, clan association of descendants of the legendary Kwan Kung, will host the Annual General Meeting of Head Tax Families of Canada (HTFSC). Representatives of HTFSC will call on the beloved immortal of the Lo Wah Kiu (old overseas Chinese) for strength to continue the struggle for an inclusive just and honourable redress. On June 22, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government unilaterally imposed an incomplete settlement for redress 62-years of Chinese head tax and exclusion legislation from 1885 – 1947. Dr. Henry Yu, associate professor in the Department of History at the University of British Columbia, will be guest speaker. In attendance will be 87-year old Gim Foon Wong, a World War Two air force veteran who rode his motorcycle across Canada in the Ride for Redress in 2005.
Where: Quon Lung Sai Tong
164 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
When: 11:00pm January 23, 2010
Quon Lung Sai Tong, an association consisting of members with the Chinese surname spelt in English as Quon, Quan, Kwan, Kwong and Kuan and other variations. Its membership includes Charlie Song Now Quan and the late Mrs. Quon Chung Shee Dere, centenarian redress champions. Lung Sai is the birthplace of Kwan Kung, who along with two sworn brothers Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, are the heroes in the epic tale “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”
Kwan Kung is a military leader renowned for his righteousness, courage, loyalty, compassion and adherence to high ideals. He was even known to sacrifice his personal success when it required him to compromise his principles. These qualities are the reasons he is venerated after his death and became spiritual protector of the early Chinese immigrants who came to Canada.
Members and supporters of Head Tax Families Society of Canada are today's Canadians on a twenty-seven year struggle for an inclusive just and honourable redress for Chinese adventurers and pioneers and their families.
Go to www.headtaxfamilies.ca for more information.
Contact: Sid Chow Tan - 604-783-1853 sidchowtan [at] gmail.com
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