(Minghui.org) “On May 13, 20 years ago, our revered Master walked into the first Falun Dafa class. Since then, the great teaching has spread to the world, benefiting millions of practitioners,” the speech started at the celebration on May 5, 2012. On that day, practitioners in the greater Detroit area gathered near the Detroit River to celebrate the upcoming 13th World Falun Dafa Day and Master Li Hongzhi’s 61st birthday, which is also the 20th founding anniversary of Falun Dafa.
Falun Dafa practitioners gather by the Detroit River to do the exercises and celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
The banner, “Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day,” was surrounded by colorful flags. Both western and Chinese practitioners joined the celebration. Some of the practitioners have practiced fewer than two years and others over 20 years. They came from all walks of life and were united by their belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance on this special day.
Proclamations from Michigan Government Officials
Many government officials sent their congratulations and proclamations to welcome Falun Dafa in society. These officials include US senator Debbie Stabenow; Michigan governor Rick Snyder; Mayor of Detroit David Bing; Mayor of Warren City James Fouts; Mayor of Traverse City Michael Estes; and Mayor of Ypsilanti Paul Schreiber.
Governor Snyder said in his letter that he and the citizens of the state shared the joy of Falun Dafa practitioners. He also congratulated them on the 20th founding anniversary of Falun Dafa.
Mayor Bing praised the practitioners in his letter for their resolve and courage in standing up against the Chinese regime’s brutal suppression. The City of Detroit declared May 13 to May 20 as “Falun Dafa Week.”
In his letter, Mayor Estes said that practitioners have moved the kind people around the world for their peaceful way of solving problems and their efforts to promote a great practice.
From Atheism to Falun Dafa
Ms. Zhao came to the US in October 2011. She learned Falun Dafa in 2009. She was once against Falun Dafa because she believed the Chinese regime’s vicious lies slandering Falun Gong in China. “A coworker of mine was a practitioner. I did not want to listen to her when she told me about the persecution. I even hated her. Later I decided to practice Falun Gong because of my severe illness. She gave me software so I could read news from overseas. I read a lot of news on Falun Gong, especially the organ removal of living practitioners. I felt terrible and could not believe that the Chinese government did such a horrible thing. Because of this I chose to side with Falun Gong and became a practitioner. At that moment, I realized that I had been lied to by my own government for so long.”
“After I practiced Falun Dafa, the most apparent change in me is that I have become more broad-minded, healthier, and happier. My family lives in harmony and my child feels blessed.”
Western Couple: Falun Dafa Changed Our Lives 100 Percent
The McCaw family came to the celebration. Michael McCaw began to practice Falun Dafa in 2006. He said that it changed his life greatly, “It’s a completely different lifestyle that I am leading now. I became healthier and I quit smoking. I understand life better and am more uplifted. I need to let people in western society know that there is an ongoing persecution in China. Practicing Falun Gong changed my life 100 percent. It makes my life better.”
Mrs. McCaw appreciates everything Falun Dafa gives her.
Michael’s wife is thankful for everything Falun Dafa has given her. “It has filled in the blanks in my soul for the past many years. I feel that my soul is complete and that I have found the missing part. Everyone’s looking for why we are here and the purpose of life. I had been looking for the answers in different religions in the past and now Falun Dafa has given me the meaning of life.”
