(Clearwisdom.net) On September 18, by special invitation, Falun Gong practitioners in the Bay Area participated in and gave a performance at the 40th annual celebration of the local community next to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. Organizers of the celebration gave Falun Gong practitioners an award and expressed the community's deep appreciation for their contribution.

Falun Gong practitioners' performance is warmly received

 The audience watches intently

Falun Gong practitioners introduced Falun Gong to the community residents and performed the Fairy Dance and the Fan Dance, both of which won high praise from the audience. Practitioners influenced everyone with their compassion and peaceful music. When the performance began, the previously boisterous audience suddenly quieted down, and the peaceful and pure music reverberated on the square.

The audience was reluctant to leave even after the performance ended. Some of them came up to thank Falun Gong practitioners. They kept saying, "It is gorgeous! Your music is beautiful!" Some Chinese Americans came to ask us about Falun Dafa.

The Chinese Consulate in San Francisco is located next to a large residential area. Falun Gong practitioners have been sitting in front of the Consulate to call for the end of the persecution every day since the persecution started on July 20, 1999. In the meantime, they have continuously clarified the truth to the local residents and policemen. Those residents who used to have misunderstandings and complaints began to sympathize with and support Falun Gong practitioners after they learned about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by Jiang's faction.

Under the excuse of safety concerns, the police used to only allow Falun Gong practitioners to sit across the street from the Chinese Consulate. However, with the support from local residents, Falun Gong practitioners can now sit directly in front of the Consulate. Despite pressure from the Chinese Consulate, the police department built a safety island where Falun Gong practitioners can clarify the truth and send forth righteous thoughts.

According to a local resident, the Chinese Consulate started contacting surrounding residents and even distributing paper bags containing money at every Chinese New Year since Falun Gong practitioners started their peaceful appeal. The Consulate spread lies to slander Falun Gong, asked residents if Falun Gong practitioners had disturbed their day-to-day lives, and tried to incite them to drive Falun Gong practitioners out of this area. However, many residents said that the practitioners had never disturbed them at all. After finding out the hidden intention of the Consulate's New Year's Party [to slander Falun Gong], some people left immediately. Some refused to go to the party in the following years.