(Clearwisdom.net) On the afternoon of October 17, 2002, Los Angeles Falun Dafa practitioners held a grand celebration of the first "California Falun Dafa Month" on the south lawn of Los Angeles City Hall. Congresswoman Ms. Grace Napolitano sent representatives to congratulate Falun Gong practitioners. Several City Councilors and representatives sent proclamations and greetings to commend Falun Dafa for helping improve people's health condition, turn away from bad habits, live a more harmonious life and for its contribution to promoting harmony of communities and upgrading morality. They also encouraged the practitioners to keep up with their endeavors.

Since 1995, the practice of Falun Dafa has been growing rapidly in California. Many practice sites have been set up in public libraries, schools, companies, community centers, elderly's centers, bookstores, universities and parks across the state. There are 20 practice sites in Los Angeles. Among practitioners are Caucasians, Latinos, African Americans and Asians. They are students, teachers, scientists, artists, professors, government officials, community leaders, housewives, and retirees. Through practicing Falun Gong, many people have had their illnesses cured. They live harmonious and happy lives. In the past years, in consideration of the outstanding contribution of Falun Gong and Master Li Hongzhi to the California people, about a hundred government officials including Governor Davis, state congressmen and representatives, mayors and municipal officials, have issued proclamations and honorary certificates to Falun Gong and Teacher Li Hongzhi.

In order to celebrate the wide spread and rapid development of Falun Dafa in California, Falun Gong practitioners decided to set October as Falun Dafa Month. Falun Gong practitioners hope that more kind-hearted people will come to understand Falun Gong and join the cultivation and benefit from it. The practitioners also hope that people could show their concern and help stop the brutal persecution.

Practitioner Si Yang said, "Life needs 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,' humanity needs 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,' and the world needs 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.' We should all promote and safeguard the spirit of 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.' The Chinese dictator's regime persecutes many innocent people who cultivate 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.' This is unacceptable and must be stopped." The practitioners expressed their gratitude to all those who show their understanding and support for Falun Gong, and they also hoped that more people could give us their understanding and support.

Congresswoman Ms. Grace Napolitano sent representatives to congratulate Falun Gong practitioners. She commended Falun Gong for its graceful and elegant movements, its powerful effects purifying people's minds and bodies, and she read a proclamation to the crowd. California Senator Jack Scott commended the practitioners for their endeavor to promote "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," and highly praised Falun Gong for providing humanity with a system of improving health, calming one's mind and upgrading spiritual realms. State Senator Mr. Jack O'Connell, State representative Ms. Gloria and Los Angeles City Councilor Mr. Ridley Thomas, and many other mayors and city councilors sent proclamations and congratulatory messages. They commended Falun Dafa for its positive contribution to improve health, turn away bad habits, live a more harmonious life, and promote the harmony of communities and upgrade people's morality, and encouraged the practitioners to keep up with their endeavors.

After the speeches, Falun Gong practitioners put on a variety of performances, including musical performance, singing and dancing. It was a great afternoon for all.