To Mayor Darwin Hindman, it seemed quite innocuous - just another formality in a city official's day. After reviewing some written materials left by some residents, he signed a proclamation declaring this week "Falun Dafa Week." 

Three people had approached the mayor in mid-November, saying they opposed drugs and alcohol. Though mayor didn't have chance to see them, their brochures seemed "peaceful and sincere," he said, as it explained pursuing tranquility, goodness and meaningfullives through physical exercises, meditation and study. The group just wanted to let public know more about their activities. 

"It sounded good," Hindman said. 

But within weeks of the proclamation, an international controversy came to the mayor's doorstep. 

The Chinese Consulate in Chicago sent Hindman a series of critical faxes that called Falun Dafa a dangerous cult and asked the mayor to withdraw the proclamation. 

At that point, Hindman discovered that Falun Dafa was another name for "Falun Gong," a Chinese spiritual movement founded in 1992 that claims 100 million practitioners worldwide and 2 million in China. 

Threatened by the popularity of Falun Gong, the Chinese government passed a law on July22 that made it illegal in China. Since the crackdown, thousands of the practitioners have been jailed. 

This action caused criticism from other countries, including the United States, that China is violating human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of beliefs. Falun Gong tribute weeks or days have been proclaimed in cities including Washington D.C. and Chicago. 

After researching the issue further, Hindman decided to stand by his decision. 

"I prefer to rely on my own government," he said. 

Hindman joins Seattle Mayor Paul Schell in unknowingly backing his way into a hornet's nest. Schell issued a proclamation during the week of the World Trade Organization conference without knowing the issues in China.

After Chinese Ambassador Li Zhaoxing, who was in Seattle for the trade talks, interceded, Schell decided to withdrew the proclamation, leaving Falun Gong members furious and betrayed. 

Local Falun Gong practitioners will be publicly demonstrating their practice at the Courthouse Square - weather permitting - and will follow with an educational program at the Boone County Government Center. They say that the practice blends ideas from Buddhism, Taoism, traditional Chinese exercises like tai chi and meditation and some New Age beliefs including the cultivation of a "Wheel of energy" in the belly of followers. 

"We don't consider this as a religion," Falun Dafa practitioner David Massey said. "There is no structure, no hierarchy, no clergy - none of the things that we think of as what religion is." 

"But I admit that we do have belief and faith in the principles, which make people confused about Falun Dafa," Massey said. 

The difference between Falun Gong and other martial arts is the higher energy level and the aimed to teach people how to be a good person, he said. 

The group doesn't have a formal organization or a leader, and it doesn't accept any donation for the activities. The group also holds frequent seminars for Falun Gong, where they study and practice together, accepting newcomers without any charge. 

"It is one of the aspects of Falun Dafa that I found very important," Massey said. "There is no controlling aspect at all. There is really free and open. You can come and go as you wish, and Master Li teaches." 

Li Hongzhi, a former musician and night watchman now living in New York, is credited with starting Falun Gong. 

"We just wanted to make this a little bit more widely known," said Chuan Lin, who has been practicing almost three years. 

"Two and half years ago, I was the only practitioner," Lin said. "Now we have about 20 people. It is difficult (to popularize the activity) because Columbia is a small city, but popularity is what we are working on. I hope more people become interested in Falun Gong."