United States: Forty Proclamations Issued to Celebrate Los Angeles County "Falun Dafa Week"

On the afternoon of August 16, 2003, a grand ceremony was held in Los Angeles Public Library to celebrate Los Angeles County "Falun Dafa Week." Mayor of West Hollywood, Mr. Jeff Prang, Councilwoman of the City of San Fernando, Ms. Julie Ruelas, U.S. Congresswoman Ms. Hilda Solis's representative, Ms. Anada Freeman and Congresswoman Diane Watson's representative, Mr. Charles Stewart attended the ceremony and presented proclamations. In addition, eight U.S. Congress Members, 15 California state senators and assembly members, as well as more than 10 Mayors of different cities, city council members and Los Angeles County officials issued 40 proclamations for this celebration. More than 70 people, including, local Falun Dafa practitioners and residents joined the event.

The meeting place was decorated with eye-catching banners that read, "Falun Dafa --Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance" and "Falun Dafa is good." The atmosphere was solemn and peaceful. Falun Dafa introductory posters and truth-clarifying materials were displayed all around.

More than 70 people attending the ceremony of Los Angeles County "Falun Dafa Week".	Government officials of different levels issued 40 proclamations for this celebration.

Mayor Jeff Prang delivers speech, pointing out that the Chinese Consulate's propaganda materials cannot be trusted.

The ceremony began at 3 pm. First, a Falun Gong practitioner made a short speech and then a Falun Dafa introductory video program was played. Then the Mayor of West Hollywood, Mr. Jeff Prang delivered the major topic speech. He said that he issued a proclamation to Falun Gong two years ago. Later he received a letter and a videotape which slandered Falun Gong from the Chinese Consulate, requesting him to withdraw the proclamation. For this reason, Mayor Prang did a careful research and read a large amount of articles and books about Falun Gong. In the end, he came to the conclusion that Falun Gong is a very good practise that is benefiting society. None of the propaganda materials from the Chinese Consulate can be trusted. Mayor Prang felt indignant at what the Chinese Consulate did. He felt deep sympathy for Falun Gong practitioners who are suffering persecution. On July 16, Mayor Prang wrote a letter to the Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles saying that the Chinese government's slandering of Falun Gong was "groundless and childish." Before attending today's ceremony, Mayor Prang especially sought advice from his colleagues, some officials of Chinese origin whom he knew and some other government officials who had a close relationship with Mainland China. They all considered it right for Mr. Prang to support Falun Gong.

In his speech, Mayor Prang highly praised Falun Gong's principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." He said if there were no such magnificent principles, our world would have become ruthless and chaotic with no happiness or hope of living. Voices of justice shall be raised from every corner of the world, including his city, to condemn the persecution against millions of innocent people who follow these principles. He believed that this event was held not only for Falun Gong but also for the freedom of human beings. He hoped that one day, the bell of freedom would sound everywhere in the world. He called for the Chinese authorities to learn about and treat Falun Gong with an open and tolerant mind, because the persecution based on deception cannot be sustained and people will eventually find out of the truth.

Mayor Jeff Prang presenting the proclamation.	Councilwoman of the City of San Fernando, Ms. Julie Ruelas, presenting proclamation.

Ms. Anada Freeman, representing U.S. Congresswoman Hilda Solis to present proclamation.	A Falun Gong practitioner presenting Falun Dafa books and videotapes to Mayor Jeff Prang.

Falun Gong practitioners presenting Falun Dafa books and videotapes to Ms. Julie Ruelas.	Ms. Anada Freeman representing Congresswoman Hilda Solis's office to accept the Dafa books and videotapes presented by practitioners.

In the end, Mayor Prang once again presented a proclamation to Falun Dafa. His speech won long lasting warm applause. To support American Falun Gong practitioner, Dr. Charles Li, who is currently illegally imprisoned by the Chinese government, Mr. Prang signed a petition letter and accepted a special interview with New Tang Dynasty TV station.

Mayor Jeff Prang accepting interview with New Tang Dynasty TV.	Ms. Julie Ruelas being interviewed by New Tang Dynasty TV.

After Mayor Prang's speech, San Fernando Councilwoman Julie Ruelas went to the stage and delivered her congratulations. She said that she was very pleased to come with her daughter to attend the "Falun Dafa week" celebration. She said that after she and her colleagues read materials about Falun Gong, they believed that Falun Gong's principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" should be promoted in the whole society. For this reason, she specially invited Falun Gong practitioners to the City of San Fernando and the university in which she is teaching to introduce Falun Gong and teach the exercises. In the proclamation for this celebration, the Mayor of San Fernando and all city council members also invited Mr. Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Gong to visit San Fernando. Falun Gong practitioners expressed their appreciation for the invitation and proclamation issued by San Fernando and were willing to conduct Falun Gong introductory workshop in the city as early as they could.

Afterwards, Ms. Anada Freeman, representative of U.S. Congresswoman Hilda Solis read the special proclamation issued by the Congresswoman for this event. Congresswoman Diane Watson's representative, Mr. Charles Stewart also especially came to the meeting to deliver Congresswoman Watson's congratulation letter.

A representative of practitioners expressed their most sincere gratitude to governmental officials of different levels in Los Angeles County for their support of Falun Dafa. They also presented to the guests Dafa books and videotapes. In the end, three Falun Gong practitioners gave traditional Chinese art performances. Six practitioners demonstrated the five-sets of exercises. Local residents who attended the celebration carefully learnt the Falun Gong exercises.

Practitioners demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises.	A practitioner playing Erhu, a traditional Chinese music instrument.

A practitioner performing a vocal solo.



Local residents who attend the celebration carefully learn the Falun Gong exercises.