Hong Fa on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Practitioners in Texas

Martin Luther King Jr. day is January 15. There is an annual parade in San Antonio, in memory of Dr. King and the principle of "Justice and Nonviolence", valued by him. This event is organized by the city Government every year and it is estimated that some 30 thousand people attend it. Many Government officials, personnel from human rights organizations, churches, schools, and people from all walks of life will join this activity. Many Dafa practitioners realize that it is a very good opportunity to promote Dafa and let more people know the truth about what is happening in China. Most people who participate in this activity are those who treasure justice and human conscience. It is very natural that many of them will have a common feeling for the peaceful and courageous deeds by practitioners in China, and show sympathy to people persecuted by the brutal suppression.

Because of the urgent schedule, practitioners worked around the clock to prepare banners, posters and flowers specifically for this event. On the early morning of January 15, practitioners from all over Texas traveled a long way to gather in San Antonio to participate in this event. The parade started from 10:00am, thousands of people with different cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds, holding various banners and posters, began to march to the destination, Martin Luther King Plaza. Our Dafa practitioners, all in yellow T-shirts, were among them. A three-mile march might not be so long, but it really reminded us of those practitioners in China. On other side of the ocean, there is another three-mile street, and another famous square.

In such a circumstance, the flyers we prepared ran out quickly. We distributed all informational materials after only a short while. But our group was still very prominent and attractive. The big yellow banner read: Falun Dafa: Zhen, Shan, Ren - in the front. Following the banner was a poster with a collection of pictures of practitioners who died for the Truth, covered by white flowers. It was very beautiful. It was made just the night before. Dozens of practitioners marched behind, each holding a picture of those persecuted to death in China. The scene was solemn and moving.

Several practitioners did not catch up with the parade in time, they had to walk the opposite direction from the plaza towards the coming parade. Since they all wore yellow T-shirts and held Dafa banners, they were very eye catching and everyone in the parade saw them. Many people showed their interest; many expressed their sympathy; some even shouted to us: Falun Gong, we support you."

At noon time, we reached the destination: Martin Luther King Plaza. Practitioners found an open place and began to demonstrate the exercises. The gentle, smooth movements attracted many people. Some came to ask for materials. Some local media and people also came to interview us or ask for information. Practitioners also rented a booth in advance, which was, by chance, beside the truck distributing free soft drinks. When people formed a long line waiting for the drinks, our booth, and posters exposing the evil deeds by evil people in China immediately caught their notice. Shocked by the horrifying persecution, many people shook their head and sighed. Some people came to ask for information, many signed their names on our petition letter, also some said they wanted to learn the exercises.

The whole event ended in the afternoon, then we left. We know there is too much to do. We all know that when any chance slides away, it will never come back again.

"All beings who manage to be born in the time period when Dafa is widely spread in the human world are people with predestined relationships (Minghui)." Let us treasure every opportunity.
Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.cc/mh/articles/2001/1/22/7095.html

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