Issued by Clearwisdom Net

At 2p.m. and 7p.m. on March 3, the Divine Performing Arts Troupe of New Tang Dynasty TV (NTDTV) presented two Chinese New Year Spectacular shows at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago--the last city that the Spectacular will visit in North America. Despite the snowy weather, nearly 7000 people came to see the Spectacular. Portraying the profound traditional Chinese culture, the Spectacular captivated the hearts of the audience and collected rave reviews.

Nearly 7000 people enjoy the Spectacular

Portraying Divinely Imparted Culture

The show began with the grand dance, "Creation." In the opening scene, heavenly beings gather. Looking down at our world, a Buddha conveys that he will go to earth and bring goodness to humankind, inviting the others to join him. He then appears in the Tang Dynasty as an emperor. Many consider the Tang dynasty Chinese history's golden age, and believe its culture was divinely inspired.

After the Show, many people said that "Creation" deeply impressed them:

Nurse Susan said: "I liked the first piece 'Creation' as I feel that this portrayed the true human history. The theme of this piece is very lofty, and the costume, dance and music are just wonderful. All together, it was very powerful." Susan also watched the 2006 NTDTV Show.

Ms. Wu is from a Chicago suburb and works in an international company. She said: "I watched the DVD of the NTDTV 2006 Chinese New Year Gala, and one of my friends told me that it is a much different experience to watch the Show in a theater. So, here I am. After the first half, I feel that it is very rewarding. The Spectacular is very pure and bright. I think that 'Creation' is a novel piece and opened new horizons for me."

Mary and Stephanie liked "Creation" the most

Mary and Stephanie drove 3 hours from Milwaukee to watch the Spectacular. They said that "Creation" impressed them the most and acknowledged that people from all over the world have belief in heavenly beings.

For Janet, this was her first experience with the NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular. She said that the performances were beautiful and entertaining, providing many messages. "Those stories [portrayed by the dances] are great," she said. She added that she liked the story "that Buddha came to the human world" the most.

The richest legend in traditional Chinese culture is cultivation, respect for nature and piety to heavenly beings. The dance "A Dunhuang Dream" portrayed a sculptor who attempted to complete 1000 sacred statues and was short of ideas after completing a dozen. Due to his piety, in his dreams he received divine inspiration to continue.

Ms. Zhang from Chicago said: "I liked this piece very much because it is very encouraging. With the melody, the dance was very touching."

In just two hours and 15 minutes, NTDTV presented the audience with the loyalty of Yue Fei, the courage and filial devotion of Mulan, the elegance and refinement of Manchu ladies, emphasizing the traditional Chinese values such as paying homage to Buddhas and Gods, respecting heaven, loyalty and filiation.... From "Forsythia in Spring" which portrayed the blooming flowers with frolicking movements and bright costume to "Herding on the Mongolian Plains" which depicts the strength of men under a vast sky, from "Rainbows" which presented a great match of strength and elegance with high spirits as boys and girls waved colorful ribbons to the "Dai Ethnic Dance," which reflects the beauty of Dai minority girls and the scenic mountains in their hometown. Every piece was delightful and entertaining. Warm applause sounded again and again from the audience.

Spreading the Truth

The Spectacular visited a total of 14 cities in North American, attracting more 90,000 people. With a variety of dances and vocal solos, the NTDTV 2007 Spectacular portrayed traditional Chinese values such as paying homage to heavenly beings, harmony with nature and loyalty. In addition, the Show also featured several pieces which revealed the truth of the persecution of Falun Gong in China:

During the Spectacular, Falun Gong practitioner and Soprano Bai Xue presented a new song "Finding Truth":

"So Vast are heaven and earth;
Whither do people go?
Lost, the way is obscured,
It favors neither rich nor poor.
But there is a way out-
Quickly find what is true

The song urges everyday people to look for the truth of Falun Gong, and expressed Falun Gong practitioners' view of the world and their compassion to all beings.

In the "Candlelight Vigil", dancers lit candles to commemorate Falun Gong practitioners who have been persecuted to death by the Chinese Communist Party and to symbolize their determination to raise up children orphaned due to the persecution. When interviewed by a Minghui reporter, Ms. Brown said: "I almost burst into tears. The performance was so touching. From the music to the dance, it was great. As a Christian, I can fully understand the contents which portrayed heavenly beings and cultivation. All this is to teach people to be good."

One marketing professional brought his girlfriend to watch the Spectacular. He said that he liked "The Loyalty of Yue Fei" the most while his girlfriend favored the female dancers. When asked his opinion on "Reaping What Is Sown" which depicted the universal principle that "Good will be rewarded with good and evil will meet with retribution", he said that he knew some facts of the persecution of Falun Gong. When he went to his company's branch office in New York, he saw practitioners' anti-torture exhibition in Manhattan.

"It is very unfortunate that the persecution is happening in China. Falun Gong is a peaceful practice. People are being persecuted and even tortured to death just for practicing. Those pieces reminded me of the reality of the persecution."

Another gentlemen drove more than 50 miles to watch the Spectacular. He said: "I feel very happy. Really, the show, especially those songs, made me feel very bright. Though I can't understand Chinese, I knew the lyrics were telling some stories, of which I shall learn more details."

Voice of Justice

The Spectacular received strong support from local governments. For example, the Illinois State House and City of Chicago both unanimously passed resolutions to proclaim and support the 2007 Chinese New Year Spectacular. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and senators Richard Durbin and Barack Obama sent congratulatory greetings to the show.

At the VIP reception before the Spectacular, many elected officials commended the show for its world-class performance and expressed their respect to people who are devoted to promoting traditional human values despite hardships. Chicago 3^rd district Senator Mattie Hunter wore her favored Tang attire to attend the reception. She said that she has been serving as the district senator for Chinatown for many years, and that her love for China is no less than that of Chinese people. In particular, she likes the traditional Chinese New Year because of the love, sharing and care demonstrated by people during this period. She expressed her support and gratitude for the Chinese New Year Spectacular, realizing that it is very difficult to organize such a large show outside China.

Christina attended the reception on behalf of Joseph Moreno, the 7^th district commissioner of Cook County. She read a support letter from Mr. Moreno and condemned the Chinese Communist regime's infiltration into the U.S. She said: "Every group has the right to express what they want, especially this elegant gala which represents authentic culture." In his letter, Mr. Moreno wrote:

"One of the strengths of our country is the protection we afford our citizens of their fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly and press. The diversity upon which our country was built and thrives compels us to stand by our fellow citizens in their effort to maintain their cultural identity.

Last year, I was pleased and honored to be able to introduce a resolution to the Cook Country Board, which was unanimously approved, that recognizes the right of Chinese Americans to withdraw their membership from the Chinese Communist Party, and I intend to continue to represent the interests of all the citizens in the 7^th District and in Cook County."

Thomas Cheng, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago also expressed his admiration for the Spectacular. He said that it is very admirable for overseas Chinese to host such a large event independently to promote Chinese culture, and no one should interfere with the event.

Ms. Jiang from Chicago (second to the left) and her relatives were delighted to see the Show

Ms. Jiang from Chicago has 50 years experience in dance. After watching the Spectacular, she said: "The show is great! No political color, very profound, true Chinese culture. I am a choreographer and directed classic dances such as Mulan and Yue Fei in the past. However, I have to say that the Divine Performing Arts Troupe presents real world class art. The Spectacular presented a vast variety of programs, from ethnic minorities' modern lives to highlights of the ancient Tang and Qing Dynasties. The performers portrayed true Chinese culture. I sincerely admire their achievement and I am very proud."

Evidently, the Chinese New Year Spectacular has not only brought people entertainment and hope, but also inspiration. For many of them, "Buddha came down to save sentient beings" is no longer just a legend. While the North America tour of the Spectacular has drawn to a successful conclusion, people's exploration of high level beings, and mankind's past, current and future is perhaps just beginning.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2007/3/4/150159.html

On March 3, 2007, nearly two thousand Falun Gong practitioners and people from all walks of life from the US, Canada, Mexico, France, Britain, Germany, Russia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao gathered in downtown Los Angeles to hold a rally and parade to demonstrate the grace of Falun Dafa, call for an end of CCP's persecution of Falun Gong and support nineteen million Chinese quitting the CCP and its affiliated organizations. The magnificent parade caught the attention of many passers-by. People learned the facts about Falun Gong and supported practitioners' effort to protest the persecution. American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) covered the event on the spot.

Divine Land Marching Band

Parade procession

Parade procession

The weather was nice with sunshine. The parade started from Human Rights Square in front of Los Angeles City Hall, moved along Main Street, and passed by Chinatown. The parade lasted for two hours. The theme consisted of three sections: the wide spread of Dafa, protesting the persecution, and Nine Commentaries and quitting the CCP.

The parade was led by the two hundred member Divine Land Marching Band. They were followed by the Falun Dafa banner team, exercise demonstration team and large lotus float. Behind the banner exposing the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong were one hundred lady Falun Gong practitioners with white clothing holding wreathes to commemorate those practitioners tortured to death in China. Then it was the procession of supporting the wide spreading of Falun Dafa, followed by the waist drum team to celebrate nineteen million withdrawals from the CCP. The parade concluded after returning to human rights square.

The grand parade caught the attention of mainstream media. ABC dispatched photographers to take footage of the parade.

Mr. Li Youfu of the Falun Dafa Association Los Angeles said that he recently received letters from many organizations. They expressed their support of Falun Gong and highly praised practitioners' courage of protesting the persecution. "More and more people recognize the evil nature of the CCP and the grace of Falun Dafa."

More and more people know the facts about Falun Dafa

The parade passed by Chinatown. Many Chinese people stood on the sidewalk. Some smiled towards the procession, some praised the procession, and those knowing the fact condemned the CCP's atrocities. The Divine Land Marching Band and large lotus float were very welcome. Ms. Zeng from Hong Kong said that she liked the music, especially the melody of the band, and would join the band if possible. "The parade is wonderful. I wish to know more about them and Falun Gong."

In front of a garment unit in Chinatown that is closed on Saturday, several ladies from Guangzhou stood at the entrance and watched the parade. A lady told the reporter, "I am happy to see that Falun Gong practitioners can parade freely in the United States. There are many people in my hometown practicing Falun Gong. I hop that they can practice freely in the near future."

Mr. Li, who recently came from China, said that he was sympathetic and supported Falun Gong practitioners for their suffering. Regarding the CCP's slandering of the practitioners' protest as "getting political". Mr. Li said, "It is the CCP's slander. Good is good and evil is evil. Falun Gong practitioners are only persisting in their own rights of practicing the exercise and belief. I believe one can see the truth in the long run."

A couple of tourists from Germany praised the parade and said that many Germans know about Falun Gong and the CCP's brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Germany passed through the Nazi's time and many Germans support Falun Gong practitioners' effort against the persecution and hope the persecution will end as soon as possible.

Western practitioners in the parade: Coming from far away to call for an end of the persecution

In the parade, many were western practitioners who started practicing Falun Gong after the persecution was initiated in 1999. Amir from Iran has practiced Falun Gong for six years. His biggest wish is to have more people, including those in his hometown, to know the grace of Falun Dafa. He said practicing Falun Gong made him healthy and energized. Currently in Iran many people practice Falun Gong. Amir said, "The CCP attempts to eliminate Falun Gong. But the fact is more and more people have begun to practice Falun Gong during the last seven years. It just shows the evil nature of the CCP. I believe more and more people will understand the grace of Falun Dafa."

Charles from Long Island, New York, wearing a yellow exercise costume, looked great under the sunshine. He is a fitness coach and loves Qigong. Two and a half years ago, he learned Falun Gong. He said, "Falun Gong is the best. I found what I need."

Gina, a cook from New Zealand, said that she has practiced Falun Gong for three years. Now she feels more strength and more clear-headed. She said that her brother and sister practice Falun Gong. Her whole family likes Falun Gong very much. She flew here from the other side of the world to help end the brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China..

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2007/3/4/150117.html

On March 3, 2007, it was sunny and mild. In Human Rights Park beside Los Angeles city Hall, people with blue, yellow and white shirts gathered and there were several hundred banners. Nearly two thousands Falun Gong practitioners and people loving democracy and freedom held a rally on two themes: stopping the persecution of Falun Gong and celebrating nineteen million Chinese people quitting the CCP and its affiliated organizations.

Rally supports nineteen million withdrawals from the CCP and its affiliated organizations

Falun Gong spokesperson Zhang Erping calls for stopping the persecution together

The invited guests included Falun Gong spokesperson Zhang Erping, Ms. Dai Ying who was persecuted by the CCP for practicing Falun Gong, Dr. Wang Wenyi, coordinator of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong. Dr. Huang Wangqing, Vice Editor-in-Chief of The Epoch Times, Dr. Gao Dawei, representative of the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP, Dr. Hong He, commenter on current political issues, Mr. Wu Fan, Editor-in-Chief of China Affairs, Mr. Liu Yinquan, Director of the Chinese Social Democratic Party, Caoan, a specialist on the Chinese economy, and Mr. Chen Shizhong, initiator of the Conscience Foundation.

Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted expose the CCP's atrocities

Ms. Dai Ying exposes the CCP's crimes

Ms. Dai Ying, 48 years old, came from Norway. She was imprisoned by the CCP for five years for practicing Falun Gong and recently obtained refugee status from the United Nations. During her imprisonment, police pried her mouth open with pliers, force-fed her through a rough bamboo tube, and shocked her with an electric baton. Her husband was imprisoned for four years for practicing Falun Gong. Her fourteen-year-old daughter suffered mentally and physically. Her mother passed away due to these incidents. She said, "The torture in prison led to blindness of my left eye and the loss of my teeth."

She specially mentioned that one day in May 2004, about 160 Falun Gong practitioners were detained in a conference room at the Guangzhou Sanshui Labor Camp. Doctors conducted physical examination and administered injections. When she asked why the labor camp only conducted examinations on Falun Gong practitioners, the team head with a surname Sun said it was "government's kindness". She did not know the real reason. Later she knew it was in preparation for the CCP's organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners.

A lady practitioner, Tian Huiying from Maoming, Guangdong was persecuted into a mental disorder. Several police pressed her down to withdraw blood. She cried and yelled. Later she was tortured to death. The labor camp deceived her family, saying she died in a car accident.

The Crimes must stop

Dr. Wang Wenyi said in her speech that Canadian Senator Kilgour and Attorney Matas released their 70-page independent investigation report and concluded that live organ removal from Falun Gong practitioners exists in China widely.

Falun Gong spokesperson Zhang Erping said in his speech, "Falun Gong does not get political but is conducting a movement to stop the biggest atrocity and crime in human history." He wished that all people would work together to stop the persecution.

Mr. Wu Fan, Editor-in-Chief of China Affairs, said in his speech that former Chinese head Jiang was responsible for the persecution of Falun Gong. He stepped down but the persecution continues. The current leaders Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao will be responsible too if they do not stop the persecution. The whole CCP will be held responsible for this crime against humanity.

Falun Gong creates miracles, perpetrators commit crimes behind the scenes

Mr. Heng He, commenter for current political issues

Though the persecution is not stopped, Mr. Hong He, a commentator on current political issues, said, "Eight years ago, when the persecution started, Western media thought that under the CCP's strong persecution, Falun Gong would turn into an underground struggle. Look at today's situation: Falun Gong has spread to over eighty countries in dignity, while the perpetrators hide to commit crimes behind the scene."

He said, "In nearly eight years, the whole world has come to know the miracle of Falun Gong. Eight years ago, no one could think that Falun Gong would endure the persecution. In history, no person or organization survived the CCP's brutal persecution. Yet after eight years, everywhere one can see practitioners' truth-clarification and smiles. Falun Gong is welcome around the world. At the same time, people see the end for the CCP."

Eight years ago, people possibly asked, "How long can Falun Gong protest?" Now more people ask, "How many days can the CCP survive?" This is the "world miracle" that many religious people or prophecies pointed out.

"Salute to Falun Dafa, Send loftiest respect to Master Li"

Mr. Liu Yinquan, Director of the Chinese Social Democratic party, said, "We salute Falun Dafa, and send our loftiest respect to Master Li, the founder of Falun Gong. Master Li creates the truth that is correct across the world. If it spreads in China, China will become a democratic and freed country with peace, kindness and justice."

He said, "The CCP does not protect Falun Gong's beliefs, but brutally persecutes it. We demand that the CCP release all Falun Gong practitioners being imprisoned, all political prisoners and return governance to the people."

Dr. Huang Wangqing, Vice Editor-in-Chief of The Epoch Times, said, "Falun Gong practitioners' effort against the persecution is to save people. It is like the alto Yang Jiansheng sang in the song 'Compassion', 'I wish only that you may see the deception of that wicked entity. Compassion compels me to intervene. I can't bear to see you share in its fate. For the heavens have ordained the red dragon's end, I feel called to ensure your well-being.'"

Heaven's Destruction of the CCP is imminent. Chinese people are called to awaken

Dr. Gao Dawei, representative of the Global Service Center for Quitting CCP, said in his speech, "In China, many people print and distribute the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party in many areas. Lawyers with conscience expose the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong and the unlawfulness of the CCP in punishing the distributors of the Nine Commentaries. Xie Tao, a high level CCP official and former Vice President of Chinese People's University, published an article to call for an end of CCP control. This would have been inconceivable one or two years ago. These facts indicate that the CCP is going to end and heaven's destruction of the CCP is imminent. Lies and violence cannot stop the CCP's disintegration."

Talking about spreading the Nine Commentaries and promoting withdrawals from the CCP and its affiliated organizations, he said, "We do not get involved in doing anything against the CCP's power and control, nor are we 'getting political' as the CCP charges. We focus on Chinese people who are poisoned and deceived by the CCP and will be implicated during the CCP's disintegration."

 Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2007/3/4/150147.html

The West Jakarta local court ended the trial of Wong Wan Hie. He had harassed and attacked Falun Gong practitioners in Jakarta's Chinatown. A jury found Wong guilty on January 30, 2007. He was sentenced to a five-month prison term and eight months' court-ordered probation. As the defendant had no previous criminal record, the prison term was dropped.

Chief Judge Poernomo SH announced the verdict. He was lenient when considering the six months imprisonment and ten months probation recommended by the public prosecutor. Wong was found guilty of harassing Falun Gong practitioner Bachtijar Kyar during a peaceful protest in Caopu, West Jakarta. Mr. Kyar was exposing the brutal torture of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities. The defendant violated Section No. 1 of Provision 351 of Indonesian Criminal Law, as he injured the victim, which was confirmed by a hospital. According to witnesses, the injuries were caused by the defendant's violent behavior.

During the six court sessions, the defendant's lawyer brought several witnesses who testified that the defendant was not at the crime scene, but in Bogor. The jury considered the evidence immaterial, as the witnesses and defendant were not together at the time of the crime.

The judge decided that the harassment of the peaceful protesting Falun Gong practitioners by the defendant was in violation of existing law, and was punishable under the criminal law of the country.