(Minghui.org) More than 2,000 Falun Gong practitioners from all over the world held a large parade in San Francisco on October 25, 2016.
The parade followed two routes: one procession started at Market St. close to Justin Herman Plaza and passing by the financial and shopping districts, and the other started from Japantown and passed by the Chinese Consulate and City Hall.
Spectators were touched by the practitioners' high spirit. Local residents and tourists expressed their support for Falun Gong and their wish to see an end to the persecution in China.
Falun Gong parade in San Francisco: Justin Herman Plaza route
Falun Gong parade in San Francisco: Japantown route
Chinese Learn About Falun Gong Through Parade
Among the spectators were many Chinese, especially when the procession passed the Chinese Consulate. They took out their phones to take pictures and talked to Falun Gong practitioners.
Mr. Chen told a practitioner, “Falun Gong is supported by so many people! It makes me reflect upon my own view.” He wanted to find out what Falun Gong is about and why the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suppresses the practice in China. The practitioner explained to him Falun Gong's principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, and how former CCP leader Jiang Zemin had launched the persecution. Mr. Chen condemned the regime's killing of practitioners and harvesting their organs.
Ms. Zheng, a tourist from China, happily accepted an origami lotus flower and a Falun Gong flyer. She said, “Falun Gong is treated badly in China. You would be arrested if you do Falun Gong exercises. Some of my friends have been arrested for this reason. They had made a positive change in themselves after they started practicing Falun Gong. How can it be bad?! The CCP is afraid whenever there is a large number of people. The CCP has done many bad things. That's why it's so afraid. We support Falun Gong!”
An elderly tourist from Hunan Province of China watched the parade with great interest. She said, “I've heard about the persecution of Falun Gong. The organ harvesting from living people is too cruel! I'm shaken to see so many people practice Falun Gong overseas.”
She continued, “I agree with the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. The CCP shouldn't have suppressed Falun Gong. Everyone should have freedom of belief. The large number of practitioners is a proof of its benefits.”
A Chinese woman who works in the legal field in Shanghai praised the parade for its rich information, magnificent marching band, beautiful fairies, and large banners about Falun Gong around the world.
A Chinese couple were shocked to see such a large Falun Gong parade escorted by policemen. The man kept taking pictures of the parade. The woman watched a practitioner distribute flyers. “There are so many people practicing Falun Gong outside of China!” she commented.
Upon learning of the Chinese regime's killing of practitioners for their organs, she lifted her head and shouted to the sky, “I want to quit the three Chinese Communist Party organizations from the bottom of my heart. I don't want to be part of the CCP and don't want to be buried with it!”
Support from Residents and Tourists
Mr. Steven Klaas, a resident of San Francisco, thanks Falun Gong for telling the public about the CCP's organ harvesting crimes. He said, “I'm willing to do anything to stop the live organ harvesting!”
Mr. James Polk, a priest in Oakland, said all should step out and do something to stop the Chinese regime's organ harvesting crimes. He plans to tell others at his church about these atrocities.
Mr. Peter Hardwick from the United Kingdom was impressed by the parade of Falun Gong practitioners from all over the world. He was saddened by the brutality of the persecution in China.
Mr. Steve Reiter and his wife Mrs. Margie Ryan learned about Falun Gong and the brutal persecution in China for the first time.
Mr. Roger Bailelon (right) and his friend Nabor praised the parade and expressed their support for Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to secure human rights and freedom of belief for their counterparts in China.
Related report in Chinese: 二千多学员旧金山游行-和平力量震撼中西民众
