(Clearwisdom.net) On May 5, 2003, Oregon Falun Gong practitioners held a Falun Dafa photo exhibit at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem to kick off the celebration of the World Falun Dafa Day in Missouri. The exhibit enabled Oregon State Senators and government officials to gain a deeper understanding of Falun Dafa and the State Governor Ted Kulongoski issued a proclamation and proclaimed May 5, 2003 is "Oregon State Falun Dafa Day."
  |
  |
  |
| Dafa practitioners demonstrate Falun Dafa exercises at the exhibition hall | Dafa practitioners teach the exercises | |
The photo exhibit had three themes: The widespread of Falun Dafa around the world, brutal persecution and support and recognition from countries all over the world. Some Dafa practitioners had visited state senators' offices and invited them to come to visit our photo exhibit. They also told the senators about the latest information about Charles Li in the hope that they could continue to offer their support in rescuing him. They told the senators that they should not allow Jiang to escape the just trial using the excuse of "Sovereign Immunity."
As it was Monday there were many people coming to do business and participating in the appeals. Practitioners took the opportunity to introduce Falun Dafa to students who came to visit, and told them the persecution against Falun Dafa in China and exposed Jiang's atrocities. The response from those students was that it is incredible that such a peaceful exercise has even received so unfair treatment. Some people expressed their appreciation for Dafa practitioners for holding such activity. They said that people need to learn about the truth and need to be awakened. Such persecution of innocent people is intolerable.
Under the banner reading "Falun Dafa--Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," Dafa practitioners demonstrated the five sets of exercises to the Dafa music which attracted many passersby to stop and watch. Several boys carefully looked through all photos and one of them asked a practitioner seriously, "Can we learn to practice the exercises?" The practitioner replied, "Of course, you can." So these boys attentively learned the fifth exercises and then left happily with truth-clarifying materials. One middle-aged man pointed at the banner, said, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I like Falun Dafa, thank you." Dafa practitioners were so happy that people who have learned about the truth of Falun Dafa will definitely realize the beauty of Falun Dafa. One woman had a long conversation with a practitioner in front of the display boards, and felt reluctant to leave. She said, "I'll read these materials carefully. What I need now is a practice that can truly release people's stress. It seems it is here." She felt hard to understand that Jiang regime distorts truth and false.
Dafa photo exhibit concluded at 5:00 p.m. Practitioners realized how important and urgent it is to let people know the truth.
The proclamation issued by Oregon State Governor Mr. Ted Kulongoski is as follows:
