(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners, the only Chinese entry, participated in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Washington DC on March 16.

The waist drum team comprised of local Falun Gong practitioners marched down Constitution Avenue in Washington DC

A green banner custom-made for the occasion led the group with “Falun Dafa, Truth Compassion Tolerance,” followed by waist drummers. The drummers played “Falun Dafa Is Good,” among other pieces, and were warmly received by the spectators.

Cultural Diversity of the Falun Gong Entry Appreciated

Kathryn and her husband took in the parade with their 4-year-old daughter, who was adopted from China

Kathryn and husband took in the parade with their 4-year-old daughter Alice, whom they adopted from China. “It's a lot of fun for children to see different cultures,” Kathryn said, “I pointed out the waist drums to Alice, and she really liked it. I wouldn't miss a chance for her to experience Chinese culture.”

Steven from London was excited to see the parade. “This is a really large parade. In England, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day too, but on a much smaller scale,” he said: “I didn't expect to see so many different cultures represented in the parade. It was eye opening.”

Steven had never seen Falun Dafa practitioners in action and gushed, “The drum performances were fabulous.”

Allen, a tourist from Ireland, agreed: “It's interesting to see the waist drums and groups from different cultures celebrating this holiday. It's great.”

John, who is of Scottish descent, took a lot of photos and expressed his admiration of Chinese culture.

Chinese Tourist Delighted to See Falun Gong

Mr. Cao from Tianjin, China, was surprised to see Falun Gong in the parade. He smiled and said: “This is great. They are contributing a lot to the parade. America truly is a free country; you couldn't see such a parade in China.”

A family from California looked over the practitioners' display boards for a long time.

People Learn the Facts at Nearby Truth-Clarification Site

Outside of the National Air and Space Museum, not far from the start of the parade, practitioners set up truth-clarifying display boards, raising awareness of the persecution and Falun Gong. A family from California stopped and viewed the display boards for a long time. The mother signed on the petition to call for an end of the persecution, and explained to her two children why it was important to do so.

“After the parade, many tourists stopped by, spoke to us, and learned about Falun Gong,” Ms. Wang, a local practitioner said.