(Minghui.org) On May 12, 2012, Falun Gong practitioners in New Jersey gathered at Buchmuller Park in Secaucus to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public, and to respectfully wish Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, a happy birthday. The mayor of Secaucus, Michael J. Gonelli, and Councilwoman Susan Pirro came to attend the event and issued a proclamation recognizing Falun Dafa.

Practitioners in New Jersey and the surrounding areas respectfully wish Master a Happy Birthday

Mayor Michael J. Gonelli and Councilwoman Ms. Susan Pirro present proclamation to a practitioner representative

Proclamation issued by Michael J. Gonelli, mayor of Secaucus

Young practitioners perform dance

Divine Land Marching Band performs

People learn to do the exercises

The celebration began after a large group practice was held. Mr. Gonelli and Councilwoman Pirro, on behalf of residents in Secaucus, formally recognized New Jersey Falun Dafa Month and World Falun Dafa Day. Ms. Pirro read the proclamation, and expressed gratitude to Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, for his unselfish contribution toward improving physical health and uplifting the moral standard of one hundred million people worldwide. She also thanked numerous Falun Gong practitioners in New Jersey for their efforts to spread the practice.

Practitioners presented a variety of artistic performances in order to celebrate this special occasion. Vocalist Ms. Yu Nan, who has cultivated in Falun Dafa with her parents since her childhood, and once lived away from home to avoid the the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in China, sang two songs, “No Longer Hesitate,” and “Give You Hope.” Young practitioners gave a dance performance, and musical performances, including the performance by the Divine Land Marching Band, expressed Falun Gong practitioners' gratitude for Dafa's salvation, and spread the good message of Falun Dafa to people.

The performance attracted many local residents. The Wheelers were among the spectators watching the performance. Mrs. Wheeler said that they had little knowledge of Chinese culture, and were shocked to learn that Chinese people are persecuted for practicing Falun Gong. “It's a shame!” I want to know more, and I'll go back to get online to learn more about it. Mrs. Wheeler added that she once saw Falun Dafa practitioners holding anti-torture exhibits in New York, and saw Falun Gong practitioners' reenactment of torture methods employed by the CCP agents in China to persecute practitioners.

Martha McGuire from a local Catholic church said that she gained some understanding of Falun Dafa through watching the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance. “The story behind this [persecution] is too sad, just as someone told you, 'I order you not to do something, because I don't like it. It's wrong by doing so. No one has such a right.'”

After watching practitioners' group practice and performances, several local residents walked up to a free exercise instruction site beside the stage, and began learning the exercises. A middle-aged woman from Shanghai said that she had learned about Falun Gong before. She asked a practitioner for details about the movements and attentively learned the exercises.