United States: More than a Thousand Practitioners Gather in New York's Central Park to Form the Chinese Characters for "Fa Rectification"

On the morning of April 10, 2004, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners from all over the world came to the New York's Central Park to practise the exercises. More than 1000 practitioners in yellow exercise suits lined up, forming the two Chinese characters "Zheng Fa [Fa Rectification]." There were several hundred more practitioners surrounding the characters practising the exercises and displaying banners that read "Falun Dafa is Great", "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance" and "Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice."

It was a warm day, and the park was filled with tourists. Falun Gong practitioners' activity caught the attention of many tourists and exercisers in the park. Many westerners commented that the character formation was very impressive and the exercise demonstration was very graceful. Many of the tourists have heard about Falun Gong before and said that it was absolutely irrational for the Jiang regime to deprive the human right of belief.

Chang Sik Lee was holding a banner in Korean. He said, "Fifty Korean practitioners have come to attend this Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference. Jiang's regime is still advocating its bloody persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. As overseas Falun Gong practitioners, we have the responsibility to expose the truth of the persecution to the world and call on actions to end this persecution. We have come here today to express our wish using this Korean banner."

Practitioner Zhou Jun from Australia said, "So many practitioners from all over the world have come to this event. I have a special feeling while being in the group. I feel that I am being tempered by this peaceful energy field. Coming to New York to inform the public of our extraordinary experience with Falun Gong is a phenomenal thing. I hope that people here can sense the beauty of Falun Dafa from these practitioners."

A Chinese post-doctoral fellow in a university was jogging in the park. He said, "I heard Mainland China's media noisily campaigning the 'crime' of Falun Gong several years ago. I had no interest in that because it had nothing to do with myself or my family's daily life. Later, my best teacher who had taught me in college was arrested and sent to labour camp for practising Falun Gong. I was shocked. I can never agree that such a knowledgeable and kindhearted scholar should be treated like that."

He went on to say, "I still don't know much about Falun Gong and the meaning of this event. However, I respect people with belief, especially those who dare to devote their lives to belief in a harsh environment like China." He also believes that China would no longer be so corrupt and autocratic if all Chinese facing violence could be so brave as Falun Gong practitioners.

As for why practitioners chose to form the words "Zheng Fa [Fa Rectification]", NY practitioner Song Yun said, "Being a Falun Dafa disciple during this great period of Fa spreading in the world is so fortunate. It is an even greater honor if one can assist Master to do Fa rectification. Dafa disciples are one body and have tremendous power. In the past five years, Falun Dafa practitioners have been steadfast in the belief of 'Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance' and persistent in clarifying truth to the world. While Falun Dafa practitioners have gone through the most evil persecution of righteous belief, more and more governments, organisations and individuals have gradually come to understand the truth of Falun Gong. Falun Dafa practitioners will surely bring everyday people a bright future."