(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners held a "Truth-Compassion-Tolerance Art Exhibition" in Ceyrat, near Clermont-Ferrand, a town of military importance in central France. This activity was organized by the Ceyrat City Council.

Mr. Alain Brochee, the Mayor of Ceyrat City, watched the performance by the Heavenly Maidens dancing group during the unveiling ceremony of this art exhibition, and also made a speech.

He said, "When Mr. Sirvins (a local Falun Gong practitioner) came to see me, I found out that we had many things in common. I saw this young man was devoted in what he tried to do and he caught my attention immediately. Our city of Ceyrat is a hospitable place where the persecuted are provided with asylum. I am very happy for Ceyrat to welcome such an art exhibition.

Today, what you are defending is also what we are safeguarding: freedom - that people in the world should all have the freedom of expression. Unfortunately it is a pity that this is not the case.

I agreed with his ideas immediately when Mr. Sirvins came to see me, since we have the same hope. We all know that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not democratic. In fact, we know almost nothing about what has really been happening in China.

Also due to this, when another fellow suggested that our Ceyrat City participate in rescuing someone imprisoned for the peaceful expression of his conscience in a prison in China and becoming his guardians, our municipal counselors held a meeting and passed through a proposal to support him. We are therefore going to try our best to free him by means of persuasion and compassion.

As expected, after we made this decision, a representative on behalf of the Republic of France's Government asked us to withdraw this decision. The reason they gave was to say that our local authority at the town level does not have this kind of privilege. Moreover, the decision may affect the relationship between France and China. Afterwards, my municipal colleagues and I submitted this proposal to a City Council ballot vote once more. Again this proposal was passed unanimously. I do know that there are chances for a dismissal by the representative if I continue to do this, like the case during Vehe Government Time in 1939-1945. However, now I am still the Mayor, and my colleagues also continue to work as the counselors and deputy Mayor of Ceyrat City. In order to support this prisoner of conscience, we again took the disobedient action. I have seen nearby towns and cities change their decisions under such pressure.

I think there will be a big change effected by tiny victories like ours, one by one, such small efforts one after another for freedom. It is this effort that gives us hope. Everyone will have freedom of thought and freedom of expression in the future."

Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200610/35852.html