San Diego, California: Local Officials Express Support for Falun Gong at Art Exhibition and Candlelight Vigil

(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in San Diego, California, held the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren International Exhibition and a candlelight vigil at Bayfront Park on July 12, 2025, to mark 26 years of persecution in China. Local officials and representatives from San Diego attended the event and commended the practitioners.

During the activities, practitioners also held a signature drive to call on the U.S. Senate to pass the Falun Gong Protection Act.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises in San Diego’s Bayfront Park on July 12.

Practitioners’ candlelight vigil calling for an end to the persecution

Nathaniel Harris (second from left), community representative of the San Diego County Second District Supervisor’s Office, joined Falun Gong practitioners at the candlelight vigil.

County Supervisor Commends San Diego Falun Dafa Association

San Diego County Second District Supervisor Joel Anderson issued a proclamation for the San Diego Falun Dafa Association. His community representative Nathaniel Harris (center) attended the event and presented the award.

Joel Anderson, the Second District Supervisor of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, issued a proclamation for the San Diego Falun Dafa Association for their untiring contributions to public education, the arts, and the preservation of spiritual freedom.

Anderson’s community representative Nathaniel Harris attended the event and presented the award. Harris said that the event resonated with him when he viewed the art exhibition and listened to Falun Gong practitioners talk about their personal experiences of persecution.

Citation Praises Falun Gong Practitioners for Upholding Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Jim Desmond, the Fifth District Supervisor of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, presented a citation to the San Diego Falun Dafa Association. The citation commended Falun Gong practitioners for upholding Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in the face of adversity and said that their peaceful efforts inspired courage, hope, and resilience.

He said that Falun Gong practitioners’ activities raised awareness of transnational repression and helped protect fundamental freedoms in the United States.

City Councilwoman: Share Your Stories about Falun Gong’s Beautiful Spirit

Michelle Metschel, a city council member from the City of El Cajon, spoke with a practitioner.

Michelle Metschel, a city council member from El Cajon in San Diego County, viewed the exhibition and then had a long conversation with a Falun Gong practitioner.

“I want to share your stories and show the American people what Falun Gong does and how you promote peace, love, compassion, and sincerity,” Ms. Metschel said. “The stories I heard today moved me and saddened me. It means a lot to me. I will do my best to recommend you to people I know. You have shown a beautiful spirit.”

Poway City Councilwoman Jenny Maeda visited the art exhibition and signed a petition urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Falun Gong Protection Act.

Poway City Councilwoman Jenny Maeda saw the exhibition with her husband and children. She also had in-depth conversations with Falun Gong practitioners and expressed her support.

Nathaniel Harris (far left), community representative of the Second District Supervisor’s Office, and Max Ellorin (far right), community director of the San Diego County Fourth District Supervisor’s Office, at the art exhibition.

Max Ellorin, the community director of the office of Monica Montgomery Steppe, District 4 Supervisor of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, attended the event. After seeing the exhibition and learning about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, he said that he wanted to help.

Passersby view the art exhibition.