November 30, 2001
Today is a special day in Monroe County, New York. The photo exhibit, "Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance - the Journey of Falun Dafa", organized by local Falun Gong practitioners and Friends of Falun Gong, and sponsored by the County of Monroe and the Greater Rochester International Airport (GRIA), opened at 10am at the Airport. This is the first government sponsored photo exhibit of Falun Dafa in the United States. The exhibit will be on display until January 4, 2002. The County Executive Jack Doyle cut the ribbon for the exhibit.
"Monroe County is very pleased to host this unique and moving exhibit at the airport," said Mr. Doyle in his opening remarks. "In 1776, our great nation was founded with religious freedom as a cornerstone of our democracy and this exhibit shows how that most basic civil right remains unfulfilled in a totalitarian state in 2001." Mr. Doyle proclaimed December 2001 to be "Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance Month" to encourage the community to recognize these principles and local Falun Gong practitioners. He read and presented the proclamation to local Falun Gong practitioner and the regional director of the Friends of Falun Gong.
Rochester is a major city in upstate New York, home to some Fortune 100 companies such as Xerox Corporation, Kodak, and Bausch & Lomb. Close to 10 thousand people travel through the airport every day. During the holiday seasons, more travelers are expected. The location and time for the photo exhibit provides an excellent opportunity to clarify the truth thoroughly and enable more and more people embrace the principles of "Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance."
More than 50 photos are displayed at the month-long exhibition, documenting the journey of Falun Dafa over the past nine years. These photos capture the beginning of Falun Dafa's public introduction in 1992, by its founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, and its ever-growing popularity as people from all walks of life discovered greater health and spiritual well being through this traditional Chinese self-cultivation practice. They also offer rare insights into the brutal persecution that a small faction of the totalitarian Chinese regime has used to defame and destroy the practice of Falun Dafa after July 20, 1999. It documents how Falun Dafa practitioners, both in and outside of China, have displayed uncommon courage and inner strength based on the principles of "Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance" to withstand this state-sanctioned campaign of terror in a completely peaceful and nonviolent manner. The exhibit also displayed the international community's support of Falun Gong and Falun Gong practitioners, and its condemnation of the evil persecution.
The exhibit is in the Rotunda near Concourse A. A huge banner of "Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance" was placed over the beam on the inside, and another one on the outside, flanked by two smaller ones, "The World Needs Peace and Kindness," and "Living Beings Need Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance." People can see these banners clearly from different angles.
One of the guests of honor was Ms. Sandra Frankel, Town Supervisor of Brighton, who has become a dear friend and a strong supporter of our cause. She read the proclamation from the Town board, which proclaimed December 2001 to be "Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance Month" in Brighton. The Town of Greece and the Village of Fairport also issued proclamations, but were not able to attend due to schedule conflicts. State Senator Dollinger from 54th District issued a proclamation as well.
Regional Director of the Friends of Falun Gong, Rev. Kenneth Brooks, Ph.D, dedicated a special oil painting to raise the awareness of the brutal persecution in China. Dr. Brooks is a well-accomplished fine artist. The painting is titled, "Dark Circus II", symbolizing a perverted power of totalitarism.
Ms. Mary Eaton from Congresswoman Slaughter's office and Mr. Chris Dygert of Amnesty International Rochester Chapter attended the ceremony as well. Major local media outlets also attended.
A local Falun Gong practitioner spoke at the ceremony. On behalf of all practitioners, especially those in China who have lost their freedom and their voice, she expressed the heartfelt appreciation to the County, the Airport, and others who have supported and helped with the cause.
"We hope that this exhibit will inspire and bring together people in our community to celebrate peace, health, and hope through global unity and international solidarity. Let us sing along, 'Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance', with kindness, virtue, and dignity; let us sing along with our hearts and fill our earth with peace, sincerity, and harmony."
More than twenty practitioners from Toronto traveled the night before to help set up the exhibit. Many others also traveled long hours to celebrate this special event. A family of musicians drove 6 hours from New Jersey and played beautiful music, including "Pu Du" at the opening. The parents were members of China's most prestigious orchestra, the Central Philharmonic Orchestra, for over 30 years before they retired. A female practitioner from Toronto presented a vocal performance - De Du, composed by Dafa practitioners. The beautiful Dafa music and songs moved many to tears.
A round of heartfelt applause and appreciation brought the event to its successful conclusion.
|
|
||
|
County executive Jack Doyle opens the ceremony. To his right: Mr. Terry Slaybaugh, the Greater Rochester International Airport Director and Master of Ceremonies for the event. Local Falun Gong practitioner. Ms. Sandra Frankel, Town Supervisor of Brighton. Rev. Kenneth Brooks, Ph.D., fine artist and regional director, Friends of Falun Gong. |
||
 |
 |
 |
| County Executive Jack Doyle reads county's proclamation | People signing the petition at the exhibit | County Executive Jack Doyle and Falun Gong practitioners. |
 |
 |
 |
| Dafa practitioners playing "Pu Du - universal salvation" | County Executive Cutting the Ribbon for the Photo Exhibit | Practitioner Reading a Proclamation |
 |
 |
|
| Presenting the proclamation | Visitors looking at the photos | |
 |
 |
 |
| Overview of the Exhibition | ||
Category: Parades & Other Community Events
