(Clearwisdom.net) (Minghui Correspondent Shu Jing reports from Houston) May 13 is a beautiful and sacred day. Since the founder of Falun Dafa, Mr. Li Hongzhi held the first Falun Dafa introductory class in Changchun in 1992, 12 years have passed. Falun Dafa has been spread to more than 60 countries in the world. Initiated by practitioners all over the world, May 13, 2000 was set as the first World Falun Dafa Day. Each year, on this day, Falun Gong practitioners from all over the world celebrate this holiday together. This year, more and more Chinese people from local communities joined practitioners to celebrate the World Falun Dafa Day and share the joy of this special holiday. "World Falun Dafa Day" is not only a holiday for Falun Dafa practitioners, but will also become a holiday for kind-hearted people all over the world.

From 7:00pm to 10:30 pm on May 13, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners from Houston held their celebration in the Chinese Culture Service Center. Practitioners' family members, friends and other Chinese people from the local community also attended.

Playing the video program "False Fire" to expose lies fabricated by Jiang's group to frame Falun Gong.

Varied and colorful performances

Varied and colorful performances

First, masters of ceremony, Ms. Sun and Jack introduced in Chinese and English, respectively that Falun Dafa practitioners cultivate themselves in accordance of the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" in society. They have families and jobs, and try to be good people and the best that they can be. The only difference is that they are practicing cultivation, and try to eliminate selfishness and consider others before themselves. They want to introduce Falun Dafa's "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" to more people.

Next was a dance performance, "The Spirit of the Great Tang Dynasty". This dance displayed the wonderful culture of the Tang Dynasty. The demonstration of the five Falun Gong exercises deeply appealed to the audience. Children especially enjoyed the lively fan dance. The performances also included vocal solos and chorus.

The truth-clarifying video program "False Fire" was also played. It described that out of his jealousy, Jiang Zemin started suppressing Falun Gong. In order to justify the persecution, he deliberately staged the Tiananmen Square "Self-immolation". However, the TV report broadcasted by CCTV is full of loopholes, and one can easily see that the incident was fabricated.

Practitioners also held a symbolic trial of Jiang to clarify the truth. Ms. Tang, a Falun Gong practitioner, recounted the persecution she had suffered when she was in China. The hosts told the audience that she was not an actress, but what she related was a real story. In China, millions of Falun Gong practitioners are enduring severe persecution, and Jiang Zemin is the chief perpetrator. They also told the audience that in 2002, a lawsuit was filed in Chicago against Jiang, charging him with genocide, crimes against humanity and torture. Falun Gong practitioners also filed lawsuits against Jiang in Belgium, Spain, Germany, Korea, Taiwan and Switzerland.

When practitioners performed the chorus, "Falun Dafa is great", the audience joined in. Some people from the audience walked onto the stage and shared with others their happiness in obtaining Falun Dafa. Among them, a young western lady, Crystal, wearing a bright-colored Chinese dress walked onto the stage. She has a Chinese name, "Xia Shuijing" (Crystal in Summer). About 3 years ago, when she studied at a university, she had a Chinese-American classmate, who often talked about Falun Gong to her. From then on, she gradually learned about Falun Dafa and the persecution occurring in China. She loves Falun Dafa, which has helped her to become a kinder and wiser person. About one month ago, she started cultivating Falun Dafa. She said excitedly, "Please remember, Falun Dafa is great!"

Another gentleman witnessed the practitioners' peaceful appeal in front of the Chinese Consulate. Through several months' observation, the Dafa practitioners' persistent serenity, peacefulness and rationality finally moved him. Practitioners' demeanor contrasted with the lies spread by Jiang's group. He finally understood the real story of the persecution. He took the initiative to go onto the stage and express his admiration of the practitioners' courage.

Although a practitioner's husband does not practice the cultivation, he also expressed his feelings, "I went back to China to visit my family there. Later, I learned that the Chinese national security was trying to find out my situation, because my wife practices Falun Dafa. But I thoroughly understand and deeply trust my wife. She is a very good person."

Among the Chinese audience, some were hearing about Falun Dafa for the first time, and some were practitioners' friends or family members who had been deceived by Jiang's lies. Falun Gong practitioners follow the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance". They strictly discipline themselves and always consider others first, which allowed their family members to change their views. Some of their relatives even started supporting Falun Gong practitioners. This is a great change.

In the end, the audience and practitioners enjoyed a birthday cake for celebrating World Falun Dafa Day. While eating, local Chinese people chatted with practitioners. They did not want to miss this great opportunity. The M.C. said, "Please remember, Falun Dafa is great!" This joint celebration of World Falun Dafa Day showed the people's changing attitudes towards Falun Gong and their sincere support.