(Minghui.org) Practitioners in San Diego recently held an Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance) International Exhibition in historic Balboa Park on September 21, 2024, the International Day of Peace. Many people stopped to look at the artworks and signed petitions to encourage the U.S. Senate to pass the Falun Gong Protection Act.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises in Balboa Park on September 21.

Passersby stopped to look at the artworks.

People listen to the stories behind the paintings.

A passerby signed a petition to support the Falun Gong Protection Act in the U.S. Senate.

Strong Positive Energy

Chapman and his friend Millie live in San Diego. They were taking a walk in the park when they noticed the event. They were very interested and spent a long time looking at each painting. They signed the petitions and said they found the artworks “very inspiring.”

Chapman said these paintings had a serious theme and conveyed a strong message, and showed the severe persecution Falun Dafa practitioners experienced. He also said the artworks were very expressive because, based on the expressions of the people in the paintings, practitioners persevered in their faith despite the adversities.

Millie said she also was impressed to see how practitioners were determined in their faith despite such severe persecution. Noticing the exercise demo and signature drive by practitioners during the event, Chapman said he felt the peaceful atmosphere had a strong positive energy that brought hope. He took some information and said he would read more about Falun Dafa.

The Best Gift

Practitioner Yang said she noticed a man pushing a stroller. He looked at several paintings and then signed the petition supporting the Falun Gong Protection Act.

She talked to him and learned he used to practice Tai Chi. Yang said that she'd practiced Tai Chi for more than 20 years before she heard about Falun Dafa. She told him that Falun Dafa is great because it improves both mind and body. The man listened attentively and decided to purchase a copy of Zhuan Falun, Falun Dafa’s main teachings.

Holding the book, the man said this was the best gift he could imagine and he felt his future might change because of it. Although he had to look after the child during the week, he would find a way to attend the group exercises in the park. Looking at the baby in the stroller, he said, “I’ll read this book to you.”

Kyra, a tourist from Chicago, and her friend spent a long time looking at the artworks and they both signed the petitions. Kyra was shocked to hear how practitioners are persecuted because they follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She said this was wrong because everyone should have freedom of belief.

Cindy said many people were touched by the artworks. They could not understand why a government would treat people so brutally, and that’s why they signed petitions to support the Falun Gong Protection Act.