(Clearwisdom.net) On the afternoon of July 12, 2003, the ceremony of "Falun Dafa Week" was solemnly held in the public library of Bakersfield City, the seat of Kern County, California. Many government officials attended the ceremony, including the mayor of Bakersfield City Mr. Harvey Hall, representative to Congresswoman Nicole Parra, Ms. Ashlie Burroughs, and council member Ms. Alicia Ojeda from Arvin City. The Falun Gong practitioners from Kern County and nearby areas introduced Falun Dafa and demonstrated the exercises. Ms. Ojeda and many local residents learned the exercises.
The ceremony was solemn and peaceful. Above the stage were banners reading "Falun Dafa" and "Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance." The proclamations and certificates awarded by various level of governments were placed on the table in front of the seats. Around the hall, many display boards were set up to introduce Falun Dafa and clarify the truth.
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| Falun Gong practitioner introduces Falun Dafa spreading to the world. | Mayor Harvey Hall talking to a Falun Gong practitioner | Mayor Harvey Hall proclaims Falun Dafa |
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| Congresswoman Nicole Parra office representative proclaims Falun Dafa | Council member of Arvin City Ms. Alicia Ojeda giving a speech | Practitioners demonstrate and introduce Falun Gong |
The ceremony started at 2 p.m. First, the Falun Gong practitioner addressed an opening speech that briefly introduced how Falun Dafa spread to the world and Falun Dafa's contribution to communities in California as well as the courage, strength and peacefulness that Chinese Falun Gong practitioners showed the world under such evil persecution.
The mayor of Bakersfield City Mr. Harvey Hall gave a speech. He first gave Falun Gong practitioners a warm welcome. He said the number of people who practice Falun Gong was quite large, and they were from different areas and professions. They have strong positive effects to the society. Being a government official, he felt he must support it. Mayor Hall continued saying that if more people practiced Falun Gong, the government could save a lot of medical expenses. After the speech, Hall presented the Falun Dafa proclamation.
Next, Arvin City Council member Ms. Alicia Ojeda gave a warm speech. She highly praised Falun Dafa's principle "Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance." Later, she learned the Falun Gong exercises and volunteered to be Spanish interpreter for new Spanish speaking students. She also told the practitioners that she felt the energy field was very strong when she was learning the exercises. When she was leaving, she invited the Falun Gong practitioners to hold the same activity in Arvin City.
Representative Ms. Ashlie Burroughs from Congresswoman Nicole Parra's office also gave a speech at the ceremony. She was very happy to see this Falun Dafa activity held in their district. She praised the contributions Falun Dafa made to the community and the people. Representing Congresswoman Ms. Parra, she proclaimed Falun Dafa.
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| Audience gives warm applause to guest speeches | Alicia Ojeda and some residents learning Falun Gong | Practitioners teaching the exercises |
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| Council Member Alicia Ojeda accepting interview from media | Practitioners demonstrate Falun Gong exercises | Practitioners demonstrate Falun Gong exercises |
The ceremony also read the "Falun Dafa Week" proclamation from a Senator of California State. To show their sincere appreciation to the support from California government officials, the practitioners gave a Falun Dafa book and videotape to each guest.
Six practitioners demonstrated the exercises and then all attendees watched a video program introducing Falun Dafa. After the meeting, the residents learned the Falun Gong exercises. Mayor Harvey and Council member Ms. Ojeda accepted interviews from NTD TV.
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