In the early spring, the city of Fontenay-Sous-Bois welcomed France's first Falun Dafa Day. This is the first declaration of its kind in Europe and an indication of the growing respect towards Falun Gong throughout European society. Dafa music filled the square where the celebration was held. Dafa banners and balloons could be seen everywhere.
Group practice |
City official reading proclamation | Practitioner expressing appreciation | Practitioner donating books and teaching tapes to city official |
Fontenay-sous-Bois city official Mr. Cremonesi representing the city government attended the celebration, and Mayor Jean-Francois Voguet gave a speech.
He said, "We have received you at our city last week. We have expressed that we fully support your walking activity with significant cultural meaning in Val de Marne. This walk will conclude with a talk with Mr. Jack Lang. (Minister of Education)
We are also very clear that you are persecuted in China. We are resolutely against any form of persecution. Thus we decided to issue this proclamation to you."
After the city official issued proclamation, president of the French Falun Dafa Association gave a speech. He first thanked the city government for issuing the proclamation to Falun Gong. He then gave an overview of Falun Gong in China before and after the Jiang regime started the persecution, as well as support from around the world.
The practitioners then demonstrated the Dafa exercises for the residents.
The day before the celebration, the city posted over 100 Falun Dafa Day public announcements across the city. This was an excellent step in the spreading of Dafa in France.