(Clearwisdom.net) On June 29, 2002, along the river at Penn's Landing
there was laughter and merry conversation. Many people came to celebrate the
"Fun, Fit & Free Festival." It was a 10-day celebration, a major
program for the celebration of Independence Day and initiated by the city
government to promote health.
During the festival, the harbor was crowded with booths. Some booths offered
food and beverages, some offered consultations about health, and some had
interesting games for children. The Falun Dafa booth was especially spectacular
among all the booths. The golden banners reading, "Falun Dafa - Mind &
Body Cultivation" and "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance"
clearly demonstrated the theme of true health. Several practitioners repeatedly
demonstrated the five sets of exercises. Practitioners had carefully designed
two posters to exhibit. One poster introduced the principles of the cultivation
of Falun Dafa, the characteristics of Falun Gong, along with examples of
practitioners who have benefited physically and spiritually from practicing.
Another poster listed the worldwide support and awards to Falun Dafa and our
Teacher. A Chinese practitioner demonstrated Chinese calligraphy on the spot,
attracting the attention of many people who love oriental culture, while another
practitioner explained the truth behind the persecution of Falun Dafa in China. At about 9:30 a.m., a group of several hundred people reached their final
stop, Penn's Landing, after a 4-mile health walk. The mayor made a speech to
thank the people who participated in the celebration and appealed to the
citizens of Philadelphia to value health. Two practitioners came forward to talk
with the mayor and sincerely thanked him for his support of Falun Gong over the
last two years. Mayor Street had a very good impression of Falun Dafa and the
practitioners. He happily received our Dafa literature and music CDs. When he
learned that the practitioners actively participate in community service to
promote Falun Dafa, he further emphasized the importance of a healthy body and
mind. He patted a practitioner on the shoulder and said humorously "Ah! You
look very healthy." Then Mayor Street gladly posed for a group photo with
the practitioners.
Many moving stories occurred at the Falun Dafa booth. One lady from Europe
told us that she had received emails about the violation of the human rights of
Falun Dafa practitioners, but she was not sure if it was true. After talking
with practitioners, she felt very sad about the brutal persecution of Falun Dafa
in China. She asked the practitioners how she could help the Falun Dafa
practitioners in China. The practitioners told her that there are many ways she
can help, for example, joining "Friends of Falun Gong" and visiting
Falun Dafa websites to learn more information. She thanked the practitioner
again and again. Before she left, she said with determination, "I will
participate in the activities to stop this persecution."
A businessman was deeply attracted to Falun Gong when he passed by our booth.
He exclaimed, "Very beautiful! I'd like to buy the exercise demo videotapes
and ask all the employees in my company to learn Falun Gong." He turned out
to be the owner of a huge company. He excitedly explained to the employees who
were with him how Falun Gong could relieve mental stress and other heath issues.
Consequently, everyone asked for introduction literature about Falun Dafa. They
further invited us to hold workshops in their company to teach Falun Gong.
Many residents in Philadelphia got to know about Falun Gong through this
activity. The practitioners took advantage of this opportunity to talk with the
organizers of this celebration and the participating city officials, who were
impressed with the peacefulness and enthusiasm of Falun Gong practitioners.
Mayor John Street talking with practitioner
Posting date: 7/11/2002
Original article date: 7/10/2002
Category: Falun Dafa Worldwide
Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.ca/mh/articles/2002/7/6/32886.html