Since the February 2001 Los Angeles Falun Dafa Conference, practitioners in Los Angeles extended their practice and appeal in front of the Chinese Consulate from twice a week to five times a week. People are doing the practice Monday through Friday between 10:30 am to 1 pm.
Over the past two months, practitioners there have overcome many difficulties. No matter what the weather is, no matter how far away people live or how many people show up, there have always been practitioners there. The street in front of the Chinese Consulate turned into a special practice site. It also became an important spot for spreading and safeguarding the Fa [universal principle].
When she was unable to get a ride with anyone, one female practitioner was so determined that she would take a two-hour bus trip to get there. So far she has never missed a day. Another woman, seven months pregnant, drives here day after day to bring the banners and display boards. Several ladies in their 60's to 80's are most diligent in this activity and come whenever they can. Other working people or students also tried their best to attend once or twice a week.
At this special place with its unique environment, the practitioners experienced all kinds of situations, ranging from disturbances by the Consulate officers to verbal attacks and abuse by ignorant people. On the positive side, they also received much support from many kind-hearted bystanders.
Following are stories of several incidents that happened during the past two months.
"This happens only in a Fascist concentration camp!"
Last Thursday, a young American, wearing a black leather jacket and other motorcycle gear, came to watch the practice. The practitioners told him about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and that over 190 people have been tortured to death. When he heard the story about a young mother and her eight-month old baby who died during detention, the young man began to cry, "how could this happen? This could only happen in a Fascist concentration camp!" He moved the practitioners deeply.
People who learned about the truth of Falun Dafa
One day outside the consulate, a long queue of people waited for visa applications. The line stopped near the practitioners. Two young Chinese men said to practitioners, "You Falun Gong practitioners are good people. But what China needs most is stability and economic development." To clarify their misconception, a practitioner explained, "When people's heart are not good, how could the economy develop? Why is there so much trouble in China? It's because people have lost their moral standards and virtues." Other practitioners added, "When good persons are being persecuted and no one cares, then anyone can become the next victim." The conversation lasted one hour. At the end, the two young men expressed their interest in reading Falun Gong books. They also wrote down the Falun Gong website address. Some people come frequently to see the practice. Every time they came, they would raise their thumbs, encouraging the practitioners with comments such as, "Good job; well done; keep up the good effort." Some drivers waved at us while honking their horns. An American, fluent in Mandarin Chinese, told us that he lived in Taiwan for 13 years and he has a good understanding of China. He said, "I support you; next time I go to China, I will take some Falun Gong materials with me."
Only people with a rotten mind can come up with such a stinking idea
The consulate tried many different ways to discourage the practitioners. At first, they watered the lawn the practitioners were sitting on. But practitioners would not be deterred. Even though their mats and pants were soaked, their meditation continued. Later, the people from the consulate planted trees and flowers in the lawn and also displayed anti-Falun gong materials at the front entrance. Practitioners then moved the practice site to a nearby spot. Sometimes, the consular people would dispatch some people to make trouble. These people used foul language to curse the practitioners. Some even grabbed Falun Gong flyers from some American's hands and threw them on the ground. Recently, these "diplomats" came up with a new idea: They placed three bowls on the lawn: two bowls containing food and the other water. At night, stray dogs and cats would come to eat. The lawn was littered with dog and cat waste. The place smelled terrible. Each time the practitioners came, they had to clean up the place. They felt quite perturbed: Why would the consulate purposely dirty their own front yard? Aren't they disgusting? Only people with a rotten mind can come up with such stinking idea.
When Falun Gong is reinstated, I will not have to come back again, even if I am invited!
Once a practitioner came a little earlier than others. She decided to practice alone. At this moment, four to five people came out from the consulate and yelled at her, "Aren't you tired? Day after day you come here. What do you want?" She explained to them, " I come here to tell the people that Falun Gong is good and I want people to know the truth about Falun Gong." One of the men shouted at her, "Get out! Why don't you go home? Don't ever come back again." The practitioner answered, "When Falun Gong's rightful name is reinstated, when the arrested practitioners are all released, I will never have to come here again, not even if you invite me."
Things like this happened quite a few times, she told us. "Sometimes they grabbed the flower wreath and smashed it on the ground." "We don't hate them, all these actions are really not their fault. We feel pity for them." She said, "If these people refuse to wake up to the truth, then it will be really dangerous for them."
Dafa Practitioners in LA
April 24, 2000
Category: News & Events
