(Clearwisdom.net) It has been 11 years since the former head of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zemin, launched the brutal persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. In those 11 years, Falun Gong practitioners have followed the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to tell the world about the persecution rationally and peacefully. From July 18-20, practitioners in the greater Detroit area and surrounding cities held a series of activities, including group exercises and truth-clarification, group study, history review, and a candlelight vigil. The Mayor of Warren issued a proclamation and proclaimed the week of July 19 "Falun Dafa Week."
Group Exercise at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor has Chinese than any other city in Michigan. Master Li Hongzhi gave a lecture there on December 9, 2000.
Falun Gong practitioners did the exercises in a group on campus on July 18, 2010. They also introduced Falun Gong and exposed the persecution using display boards, banners, and brochures. Students and faculty stopped by to find out more. Some learned the exercises there and then.
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Experience Sharing
Falun Gong practitioners held a mini experience sharing session after their group exercise. Many practitioners recounted their efforts to end the persecution over the past 11 years. With strong faith in Falun Dafa and Master, they have been through a hard journey of Fa-rectification.
Candlelight Vigil
"Candles light up the darkness. They light up people's hearts. The candlelight represents our mourning. It also represents brightness." The opening speech at the vigil was a plea from the bottom of practitioners' hearts. They formed the Chinese characters for "Fa Rectification" with candles. Quietly, practitioners mourned their fellow practitioners who have died in the persecution in China.
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Support and Proclamation
The Mayor of Warren issued a proclamation to Falun Dafa practitioners. The proclamation especially mentioned that "tens of thousands of Falun Dafa practitioners face severe forms of torture." It condemned the persecution and praised Falun Dafa for "transcending cultural and racial boundaries, and touching the lives of people of different ages, professions, and racial backgrounds."
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Falun Gong practitioners also received great support from passersby during their activities.
As the series of activities concluded, practitioners got ready to join the large-scale activities in Washington, D.C., saying, "We will continue until the last day of the persecution."
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical, mental, and spiritual health, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, have been undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 60 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.
On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Since the start of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.
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