(Clearwisdom.net May 15, 2003) From May 10 to May 13, 2003, Atlanta Falun Gong practitioners held a series of activities to celebrate the fourth World Falun Dafa Day and the 11th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction.
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| Introducing Falun Dafa and clarifying the truth to tourists at Stone Mountain | A representative of the Governor of Georgia reads the proclamation issued by the Governor's office | Clarifying the truth during the celebration |
At noon on May 10, the weather was quite pleasant. Dozens of practitioners arrived at Stone Mountain, a popular tourist site, and displayed truth-clarifying boards depicting the wide spread of Falun Dafa and exposing the evil persecution. In the brilliant sunshine, the sign with the words "World Falun Dafa Day," the practitioners' bright golden outfits and carefully designed display boards formed a beautiful scene at Stone Mountain. Tourists were drawn to the display boards and carefully looked at the photos. They were angry and puzzled by the persecution and asked many questions. The practitioners took the opportunity to explain the facts about Falun Gong to them so that these predestined people could have a positive understanding of Falun Dafa. At one side of the display boards, some practitioners demonstrated the elegant and peaceful Falun Dafa exercises to the exercise music. Looking at all this, the people naturally showed appreciation for the goodness, pure compassion and peacefulness of Falun Dafa.
On the evening of May 11, 2003, the practitioners played documentary films at the Chinese Culture and Education Service Center to help people learn the facts about Falun Dafa.
As practitioners have done a lot truth-clarification work with the Georgia state government, the state government actively supported the celebration, and allowed practitioners to rent the south hall of the state government to hold a photo exhibit and celebration party. From May 12 to May 16, there was a weeklong photo exhibit at the south hall. Many tourists who visited the Georgia State government and staff members from different levels of the state government had an opportunity to look at the photo exhibit.
May 13 was Master's 52nd birthday, and it was also World Falun Dafa Day. From noon to 1:00 p.m., practitioners held a celebration at the south hall. A representative of the Governor read the proclamation issued by the Governor's office. The practitioners also read congratulatory letters from Atlanta Mayor Ms. Shirley Franklin, Georgia State representative John Louis and representative David Scott. The Mayor and the representatives highly praised Falun Dafa's principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" in their letters, and wished a great success to our celebration and photo exhibit. After that, the practitioners performed the five sets of peaceful, elegant Falun Dafa exercises and won warm applause. Former State representative Bob Barr and Professor John Pasure from Georgia Southern University gave speeches. They praised the goodness of Falun Dafa and condemned the brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. In the end, practitioners gave performances, showing a beautiful part of Chinese culture.
During the celebration, a group of Chinese students visited the state government and happened to see our exercise demonstration and performances. They were deeply attracted by the beauty of Falun Dafa and traditional Chinese culture. No seats were vacant, so they sat on the ground and watched the programs until the end.