(Minghui.org) As Americans celebrated the 238^th Independence Day nationwide, Falun Dafa practitioners joined festivities across the country, from Liberty Bell Park in Philadelphia to Huntington Beach in Southern California.

In Washington D.C., practitioners offered the Divine Land Marching Band and Dragon Dance Troupe for the 4^th of July parade on Constitution Avenue. With sincere appreciation for the freedom this country provides and protects, Falun Dafa practitioners wished to remind Americans to cherish these freedoms in light of the human rights violations in China today.

Falun Gong practitioners join the 4^th of July Parade in Washington D.C.

The Falun Dafa group's Divine Land Marching Band performs.

Performance of Dragon Dance Troupe by practitioners

Falun Dafa practitioners join the 4^th of July Parade in Washington D.C.

“Harmony of Spirit and Culture”

Akshat Chaturvedi, who works at the World Bank, said he was excited to see the performance. He said, “I come here every year. The Divine Land Marching Band’s performance is superb. From music to costume, it is so fascinating!”

The marching band's costumes are traditional Chinese uniforms, representing a revival of traditional values, such as Falun Dafa's core principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.

Chaturvedi said that he likes the Divine Land Marching Band not only because of their excellent performance, but also because it represents the harmony of spirit and culture. He says America is a nation of diversity and people are proud of it. “This parade perfectly manifests this,” he said.