On November 30th at 11AM, the New York City Council held a press conference to honor Falun Dafa and its founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, in the city hall. Journalists from several media including the World Journal, Ming Pao, and the Voice of Freedom Radio Station attended the press conference. About 50 Falun Gong practitioners were also present.

NY City Councilor Mr. Sheldon Leffler gave a very warm speech on behalf of the city council. In his speech, he said that even though Falun Gong is being suppressed in China, he thinks Falun Gong is good and the Falun Gong practitioners are all good people. The crackdown on Falun Gong by the Chinese government is wrong. The practitioners' courage and perseverance in daring to stick to their faith regardless of the menace to their lives and freedom is worth commending. He also pointed out that as one of the most influential metropolises in the world, New York City has given proclamations to freedom seekers before, as, for example, the commendation to Nelson Mandela of South Africa. Now that Falun Dafa is being proclaimed and commended in New York City at the same time it is being suppressed in China, he said he hoped that this would set an example that will be used by other cities in the world as reference.

The representative of the Falun Gong practitioners expressed deep appreciation to the NYC council for its commendation of Falun Dafa and its founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi. He said that even though Falun Dafa has been widely recognized, the persecution by the government led by Jiang Zemin has been ever escalating. In order to enable more kindhearted people to learn and benefit from Falun Dafa and have more people know the truth about the persecution, Falun Dafa practitioners in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have proclaimed December 2000 "Falun Dafa Month".

The representative of the Falun Dafa practitioners also read a letter to the New York City Council from Mr. Li Hongzhi. Mr. Li wrote, "As a New York City resident, I am very happy to learn that Falun Dafa and I have the privilege of receiving recognition from the Council of the City of New York. The recognition given by the Council of the City of New York lends tremendous support to and affirms all Falun Dafa students and me, especially during this time when evil is manifesting most viciously in China, engineered by a bunch of ruthless brutes. I would like to express my gratitude to the Council of the City of New York for this, and I hope that I can bring wonderful things and well-being to the people of New York City."

Media reporters also interviewed City Councilor Mr. Leffler and the Falun Gong practitioners at the press conference. Mr. Leffler said that exposing the evil deeds that are happening in China would enable us to end them at an early date.

A group picture of Mr. Leffler, wearing a "Falun Dafa" badge, and the Falun Gong practitioners, holding the proclamation by NY city council, was taken. This press conference was filled with a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

Reported by Tongyu from NYC

December 1st, 2000