"Uncompromising Courage" Art Exhibition Touches People on Washington Legislative Day

On February 14, 2005, practitioners in Washington State participated in activities on Legislative Day, held by the State Government in the capital city of Olympia, to explain the facts of Falun Gong to government officials and staff. It was the third year for the practitioners to hold this activity on Legislative Day. Legislative Day is an important opportunity for people to meet and talk with their government officials. Small groups of two to three practitioners met and talked with over 40 State Representatives, Senators and their legislative assistants. The "Uncompromising Courage" painting exhibition was also held at the capitol.

During the talks, practitioners explained the facts of Falun Gong, and answered questions about Falun Dafa. Topics ranged from the introduction of Falun Dafa and its worldwide spread, to the persecution in China. The practitioners talked about the support they have received over the last year from around the world, as well as the support of legislative officials from Washington State, and touched on the lawsuits against Jiang Zemin and his followers. They discussed the attention placed on human rights issues during trade and cultural exchanges between Washington State and China. Representatives and Senators exchanged their views with practitioners. Many of them support the House and Senate proclamations in support of Falun Dafa.

After nearly four years' reconstruction after the 2001 earthquake, the Washington State Legislative Building reopened. Many visitors and staff toured the building. The House of Representatives and Senates conducted meetings. The "Uncompromising Courage" paintings exhibition was held in the Columbia Room. Practitioners were present throughout the building to distribute leaflets and to invite people to the exhibition. Many viewers who talked to the practitioners after seeing the exhibition said with emotion, "I saw the paintings; they are very moving! I'll ask my colleagues to also take a look."

The painting exhibition venue was solemn, with Dafa music playing in the hall. Visitors viewed the paintings and asked about Falun Dafa and the persecution in China. A security staff person was moved by the painting entitled, "Returning to True Self" and said, "I always believed that there is a connection between human beings and God. The painting let me sense that feeling and purity."

A State Representative came to the exhibition in the company of a practitioner and asked many questions. While viewing the paintings, she had tears in her eyes and said that the paintings made her feel great sorrow. In front of the painting, "Life Forever," she said, "Many of the practitioners tortured to death were so young."

Representative John Lovick came to the exhibition hall after meeting with the practitioners. He was interviewed by NTDTV and said that the paintings moved him and he would remember them. He said that the persecution was inconceivable, and that the international courts should investigate the situation. Representative Lovick said that we must not let the persecution, as depicted in the paintings, continue and that the persecution should be investigated and stopped. He said that American representatives in China should be contacted and reminded to deal with the human rights situation there.