The week of October 16-22 has been proclaimed "Falun Dafa Week" or "Falun Dafa Day" by nine cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. On October 20, Falun Dafa practitioners from across the United States, as well as several countries, gathered in San Francisco to celebrate this special historical period of time.
The celebration started with a group practice of the Falun Dafa exercises in front of the Civic Center Plaza. Over 500 practitioners dressed in yellow T-shirts carrying the words of "China: Stop Persecuting Falun Gong", or "Falun Dafa is Good" performed Falun Dafa exercises with the music in the background. Their beautiful movements attracted many people passing by. Many buses filled with tourists from all over the world stopped at the Civic Center Plaza to take pictures of the practitioners and to learn more about the situation in China.
Following the group practice, the practitioners conducted a parade in the downtown San Francisco area. A large flower wreath was carried at the head of the parade, and 64 female practitioners dressed in white carried flowers as well as photos and names of the practitioners in China that have died as a result of torture while in police custody. The parade was a mile and a half long. As the parade progressed through the streets of downtown San Francisco, people came out from the shops and restaurants on either side to learn more about the peaceful procession. Practitioners handed out materials that told the truth about what is happening in China as well as provided more in-depth information on Falun Dafa.
After the parade, a Falun Dafa News Conference was held at the Justin Herman Plaza. Congressman Tom Lantos and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi sponsored this event. More than a dozen media reporters attended the event. Practitioners started the event with an opening statement expressing appreciation for the support and concern of representatives in the U.S. Congress for Falun Gong practitioners. Additionally, practitioners once again raised their voices against the continued persecution of Falun Gong in China, with a heightened sense of urgency.
Ms. Marjorie Ferrar spoke on behalf of Congressman Tom Lantos, stressing that people around the world are watching and will continue to respond to the Chinese government's brutal crackdown on Falun Gong because Falun Gong has represented the universally cherished values of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance.
Next, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi arrived from Washington DC to show her support and call upon the U.S. government to continue to speak out against the crackdown on Falun Gong. Additionally, she indicated that the U.S. should use all appropriate means to call on China to respect the human rights of its own citizens and that the U.S. government should continue its efforts until the situation in China has been resolved.
The last speaker at the news conference was a U.S. practitioner who told her story of being arrested and detained while she was visiting with friends in China.
Over 500 practitioners attended the news conference and were seated in the formation of the words, "CHINA: Stop Persecution."
On numerous occasions during the news conference, two airplanes flew overhead carrying banners which read "CHINA: STOP PERSECUTING FALUN GONG" and "FALUN DAFA WEEK."
After the news conference, practitioners divided up into smaller groups and went to various locations throughout San Francisco to hand out flyers and demonstrate the exercises to the public.
In the evening, practitioners gathered outside the Chinese Consulate to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of the 64 practitioners that have died during the crackdown. Practitioners peacefully practiced the exercises and read from the Falun Dafa books. At the conclusion of the candlelight vigil, the practitioners gathered their materials, thanked the police officers for their assistance throughout the day, and quietly left.
(10/20/2000 - Reported from San Francisco)
Group Practice in Front of Civic Center Plaza
Parade in Downtown San Francisco
Passers-by Read about the Crackdown against Falun Gong Near the San Francisco Waterfront
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Speaks at the Falun Gong News Conference
Candlelight Vigil in Front of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco
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Category: Dafa Day Celebrations
