On May 13, 2003, it was sunny and warm in Ohio, and Columbus Falun Gong Practitioners gathered at the square in front of the State Capitol Building downtown to celebrate the 11th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public.
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to Lotus Flower" | |
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Practitioners send best wishes to Master Li Hongzhi
Some government officials showed support for practitioners' celebration activity. Ohio State governor Bob Taft sent a congratulatory message on the 11th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction; State councillor Dale Miller attended the celebration in person and gave a speech to support Falun Gong practitioners for their persistent effort in striving for freedom of belief. State councillor Jim McGregor also sent his assistant to attend the celebration to support Falun Gong practitioners.
Ms. Lucia Dunn from the Economy Department at Ohio State University and also a Falun Gong practitioner condemned Jiang regime's brutal suppression of Falun Dafa in her speech.
The practitioners' art performance and "Journey of Falun Dafa" photo exhibit attracted many government officials and passersby to come to watch. After demonstrating the five sets of Falun Dafa exercises, practitioners gave performances, including flute and Xiao recitals, Lotus Flower Dance performance, solo, and poetry recital. A chorus singing "Coming for You" touched many people's hearts in the audience. All practitioners sang "Falun Dafa is good," leading the celebration's conclusion. In the end, all practitioners presented Heshi to send best wishes to Master outside the State Capitol Building.
On May 11, 2003, Dafa practitioners in Portland, Oregon arrived at the popular Riverside Park in the early morning and displayed truth-clarifying poster boards depicting the widespread of Falun Dafa around the world and exposing the brutal persecution. They gathered to celebrate the special occasion of May 13 -- World Falun Dafa Day.
Riverside is a good place for people to take a walk and do exercises. Opposite the park is a weekend market, so people came in a stream. Banners reading, "Falun Dafa--Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" and "World Falun Dafa Day" were especially beautiful in the bright sunshine, drawing the attention of many passersby. At the roadside, practitioners continuously demonstrated the five sets of gentle exercises. On the other side of the road, people attentively looked at every display board. Many people came to the table displaying truth-clarifying materials to learn about the truth of Falun Dafa. Many watched practitioners' exercise demonstration for a long time. Some wrote down their names on the signature-collection book for the rescue of Charles Li. Many other people were amazed at the peacefulness of the Dafa music "Pu Du." People appreciated the goodness of Falun Dafa and expressed that it was hard to understand the four-year persecution, and that they wanted to extend their helping hands.
On May 11, 2003, prior to the occasion of the fourth World Falun Dafa Day and the 11th anniversary of Master's introduction of Falun Dafa to the public, San Diego Falun Dafa practitioners gathered at a Seashore Park, a famous tourist site, to celebrate the arrival of the festival. The practitioners held group practice, sent forth righteous thoughts, demonstrated the exercises and displayed photos to introduce Falun Dafa and clarify the truth.
On the information table, the practitioners placed various truth-clarifying materials and VCDs for tourists. Peaceful and elegant exercises and beautiful music won the appreciation of many passersby and tourists. Several Western people ran to join the practitioners to learn the exercises. Local Chinese and English TV stations came to conduct interviews.
Practitioners who used to seldom come out to participate in activities, and new practitioners and their family members all actively participated this time. During the activity, some practitioners made good use of their time to exchange ideas and understanding so as to cooperate better in future Dafa-related activities.
On May 12, 2003, Dafa practitioners from different cities of Florida gathered at Clearwater Beach to hold a day-long special celebration activity.
Some practitioners noticed that some beautiful Dafa activity scenes and photos have been repeatedly used on different occasions, so they had the idea to shoot some new movie scenes and photos, and at the same time allow people to see the beauty of Dafa from different angles. Florida has unique beautiful beaches, blue sky, white clouds, sails and seagulls. The sea view at dawn and dusk is extremely beautiful.
Dafa practitioners that major in film production at universities, practitioners that are good at photography and other practitioners began to make preparations. A practitioner drove to different places to select scenes, and other practitioners made necessary preparation from clothes and background to time and participants.
That day, the sunshine was brilliant, and the sky was cloudlessly blue. In the morning, practitioners held a group Fa-study [Principles of Falun Gong contained mainly in the book Zhuan Falun]. At 3:00 p.m., they arrived at the beach. The sun was burning in the season between spring and summer. The practitioners demonstrated the exercises again and again to shoot more pictures. When the sunset glow softly shone on the white beach, groups of beautiful exercise scenes were stored in the cameras.
It was getting dark, and the day-long activity concluded. Though everyone got sunburnt, we were very pleased.
Houston Dafa practitioners held a series of activities of celebrating World Falun Dafa Day and the 11th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction. On May 11, practitioners held an introductory seminar in Hong Kong Mall. A Falun Dafa picture exhibition was also displayed. The practitioners demonstrated the exercises and performed music and dances. Local residents who watched the performance were impressed.
On May 10, 2003, Dafa practitioners from states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut of New England Area gathered at Boston Common to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
Poster of "World Falun Dafa Day"
The celebration began with traditional Chinese joyous and festive "Lion Dance." A Western practitioner sang the song he composed "I come for you" in both Chinese and English and several other songs. The practitioners then sang together and their touching songs attracted many tourists to stop and watch.
An information centre displayed various truth-clarifying literature and materials, Video-CDs, and video tapes. Large photo display boards exposed Jiang regime's brutal persecution of Falun Gong, the appeal for the rescue of Charles Li and an introduction to Falun Dafa. The practitioners handed out materials that clarified the truth of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, collected signatures and answered questions raised by tourists. With a heart of compassion, the practitioners used the way of truth clarification to celebrate "World Faun Dafa Day."
Wishing Master a Happy Birthday
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Band of Falun Gong practitioners
World Journal reported on May 12 2003:
More than 500 Falun Gong practitioners held a parade yesterday in Manhattan's Chinatown to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. Falun Gong practitioners from New York, New Jersey, Minghui School and Falun Gong Club at Yale University paraded in Chinatown. Practitioners performed lotus dances and music along the route. Many residents stopped to watch.
Yesterday was Mother's Day. Due to the Jiang regime's persecution, Amy Lee has not seen her daughter for 3 years. She wished to be united with her daughter soon. Two and half years ago, she came to US. Her daughter's application for a passport was refused again and again. Half a year ago, her daughter finally got a passport but was refused a visa due to the SARS epidemic. "My daughter will be 8 years old next month. I hope she can come soon and that the persecution is stopped. Those practitioners who are forced to leave home can unite with their families. We practise cultivation. These tragedies can be avoided."
At noon, on Broadway near Times Square, Falun Gong practitioners in bright golden exercise suits demonstrated the gentle exercises. Festive drumbeats announced the day's celebration. New Yorkers are quite familiar with Falun Gong, and many of them know about the Jiang regime's brutal persecution of Falun Gong. but quite a few people do not know much about World Falun Dafa Day. Looking at these happy Falun Gong practitioners, passersby stopped, and people in vehicles opened their windows to accept flyers and VCDs from practitioners. After listening to practitioners' explanations, people smiled and waved, sending them good wishes.
The major celebration took place in Bryant Park on 42nd Street. Falun Gong practitioners gave a wonderful art performance, including a traditional Chinese dance performance and drama, Western practitioners' songs and poetry performance accompanied by drumbeats, professional instrumental music performances, and a chorus. During the performance, more than a dozen practitioners of different nationalities and age groups got on the stage to recount their personal experiences in cultivating Falun Dafa and the benefits Falun Dafa has brought to them both physically and mentally.
In addition to over 400 Falun Gong practitioners, many New Yorkers also joined the celebration. Some of them saw the flyers and some were attracted while passing by. Many people watched the performances from a distance in the beginning, and then took seats to watch, and finally were completely immersed in the festive atmosphere. Practitioners and local people joyfully celebrated together.
Falun Dafa Day is not just a festival of all Falun Gong practitioners around the world, but also it is a festival of all human beings in the world. People can feel from their personal experiences that Falun Dafa can genuinely bring goodness to the world, and will be accepted by all righteous people.
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Many people learn the truth about Falun Gong
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