After returning from the weeklong activities at the Experience Sharing Conference in New York last September, Dafa practitioners in Michigan were inspired to intensify their efforts to promote Dafa locally.
The proposal for "Troy Falun Dafa Day" was submitted to the city commission, where it was discussed and approved. The mayor told practitioners that he would officially issue the proclamation at their next regular meeting.
On November 4 at the city's public library, practitioners displayed a photo exhibit to tell people the truth about Falun Gong and what has been happening in China. Free demonstrations of the movements were also provided. Many people came to see the photographs, including some Chinese who wanted to know what has been taking place in their homeland. People of all ages came to learn the exercises, and they all enjoyed the beautiful music, gentle movements, and the harmonious atmosphere.
A young mother came to learn the movements with her 6 and 7-year-old daughters. All three of them paid close attention while learning, and later did the exercises with the practitioners. Afterwards, the mother told practitioners that, to her great surprise, her continuous coughing completely stopped as she was learning and practicing. The library allowed us to stay for an extra half hour past our deadline, which gave us more time to promote Dafa. Then, when the activity was finished and practitioners were packing up, a middle-aged gentleman hurried in, saying, " I'm late, I'm late!" Practitioners gave him some newspapers and flyers, which he accepted with pleasure, saying he would be sure to come early next time.
The day of the regular meeting of the Troy city commission was November 6, one day before the general election. After giving a brief talk, the mayor read the "Troy Falun Dafa Day" proclamation, which had been signed by all members of the city commission. After reading the proclamation, he presented it to the practitioners, whose representative in turn gave a speech that expressed appreciation from all of them. In his speech, the practitioner emphasized that although persecution of Falun Gong in China continues to escalate, support of Falun Gong from the mayor and from the city commission not only encourages citizens to follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, but also it helps confirm values that honor justice and peace. The audience responded with a warm applause. On behalf of the citizens of Troy, the mayor told the practitioners that they will all pray for the freedom and human rights of the Chinese people. A local reporter contacted practitioners after the meeting, and later interviewed some of them at their practice site.
Through this activity, local practitioners came to gain a better understanding of
How "Falun Dafa Day" activities can help tell people the truth and promote Dafa.
Practitioners in Michigan, U.S. 11/13/2000
