Located in the center of St. Antonio in Texas, the Alamo resort is a well-known historical relic of the Spanish-American War and is a symbol of freedom. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world are attracted to visiting the Alamo. On October 15, Falun Gong practitioners from St. Anthony and Austin came to Alamo Square, which was filled with tourists, to promote Dafa and clarify the truth. Banners saying "Falun Dafa" and "Zhen-Shan-Ren (Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance)" were hung up and the solemn Dafa music began to resound over the square. Practitioners prepared many Dafa signs presenting not only positive Dafa materials but also the wrenching facts as to how Jiang Zemin and his accomplices are inhumanly persecuting Falun Gong practitioners in Mainland China. Almost everyone, including pedestrians, tourists and even people on a tour bus, were paying attention to this group of peaceful Falun Gong practitioners.

Practitioners repeatedly demonstrated the five sets of Dafa exercises in a pavilion that was located in an elevated area. People came one after another to read the signs. They began to ask about what is happening in China and took the initiative to request Dafa materials. Some tourists even showed their interest in learning Dafa.

A lady who works in the tour business at the Alamo asked in great detail about what is happening in China and said, "The persecution is absolutely unacceptable to me! People should have the freedom to choose their belief. You should really let more people know the current situation in China. I believe most American people support you! You may go ask people on the street and I'm sure that 80% of them would support you. China's tyranny is well known here. I can't understand why our government does not show stronger condemnation of the tyranny."

An elderly gentleman asked us: "Is it because ten thousand people peacefully appealed to the government that it persecutes practitioners so inhumanly? This is the shame of the Chinese government!"

Practitioners seized every chance to clarify the truth to the public and to provide opportunities for others to get to know Dafa. Although we did not take the initiative to ask for signatures, our signature sheet was filled with tourists' kind concerns: "Stop the persecution!" "Protect the human rights", etc.

A journalist from the local NBC in St. Anthony interviewed us. The report that we hope that more people pay attention to the crimes happening in China was aired on that night's news program. In addition to practicing exercises and clarifying the truth, practitioners from different areas also shared experiences with each other as to how to promote Dafa and how to cultivate. We all felt that this kind of activity was very helpful to each of us and we came to a deeper understanding of how to cultivate in the Fa-rectifying process. Looking at the bustling crowd, we felt there is still too much for us to do. And what should be done is just what we should cultivate.

Since Falun Dafa has brought to tens of millions of people a healthy body and mind, the mayor of St. Antonio, Mr. Howard W. Peak, issued a proclamation letter in November of last year, encouraging his citizens to learn this traditional and noble cultivation practice. Many citizens have come to learn Dafa since then. The Dafa books in the bookstore often run out of stock and need to be repeatedly reordered. Some western practitioners are persisting in cultivation because they benefit a lot from Dafa. Many of their illnesses have disappeared or have been alleviated, they have a more harmonious family life, they are happier, and they have discarded their bad habits. People, from young kids to elderly people in the 70s or 80s, all like Dafa. On October 29 of this year, in order to honor the enormous benefit that Falun Dafa has brought to the physical and mental health of St. Anthony's residents, the Mayor once again made a proclamation on behalf of Dafa, calling on more people to join the cultivation.

The picture shows a reporter from NBC taping the exercise demonstration by Falun Gong practitioners.

Practitioners in Texas

November 1, 2000