(Clearwisdom.net) Clearwisdom/Minghui website reporter Kerry Huang reports from the California Bay Area: On July 4, 2005, Falun Gong practitioners in Northern California were invited by the mayor's office to participate for the second time in the Alameda Independence Day Parade. The practitioners were well-received by the mayor and spectators.
Falun Gong procession |
Falun Gong procession |
Some practitioners held banners reading, "Falun Dafa is Good," and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." Some demonstrated the five sets of exercises, and some handed out truth-clarifying materials to the spectators.
Float |
Exercise demonstration |
When the Falun Gong contingent passed by, enthusiastic people applauded, waved to greet practitioners, and some exclaimed, "Falun Gong!"
Media doing interviews |
Asking a practitioner where to learn the exercises |
When some people saw the banner reading, "The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," they said, "Yes, everyone needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, thank you."
Enthusiastic spectators |
Enthusiastic spectators |
A city resident stopped a practitioner and inquired where to learn the exercises. He told the practitioner that he liked qigong very much, and the reason for him to want to learn Falun Gong is because he thought Falun Gong is more profound than other qigong.
Enthusiastic spectators
After the parade, Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson met with practitioners, and she especially walked up to shake hands with practitioners and thanked them for participating in the parade.