(Minghui.org) Nearly 10,000 Falun Dafa practitioners from around the world gathered at UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Park opposite the United Nations in New York on May 16, 2019.
They celebrated the 27th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public and the 20th World Falun Dafa Day.
In honor of this grand occasion, they held a grand parade that featured three sections: "Falun Dafa is good," "Dismantle the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to end the persecution," and "Support for the 303 million Chinese who have quit the CCP."
The Tian Guo Marching Band
Practitioners carry banners with different messages.
Replicas of the cover of Zhuan Falun in different languages
The banner reads, “Dafa embraced far and wide, celebrate together”
Replicas of the book Zhuan Falun
Falun Dafa exercise demonstration
Falun Dafa and its tenets: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance
The large-scale peaceful parade impressed many spectators. Falun Dafa has been embraced and practiced by people in more than 100 countries since it was first introduced to the public in China by Master Li Hongzhi, its founder, on May 13, 1992.
The core principles of the practice—Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance—have purified people’s hearts and given them hope. People who are familiar with Falun Dafa praise and express gratitude to Master Li for his contribution to mankind. They are also amazed at Falun Dafa practitioners’ perseverance and efforts to uphold their faith despite the persecution by the Chinese communist regime over the past 20 years. They condemn the regime’s brutality.
New York Artist: Falun Dafa Practitioners Are the Light, Driving Away Darkness
New York Artist Tim Shaw poses with Falun Dafa practitioners for a photo
Artist Tim Shaw said that Falun Dafa is “remarkable.” He hoped that the entire world would value the Falun Dafa principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. He said, “If everyone would follow such principles, this world would no longer have wars and troubles, but only freedom.” He condemned the cruelty of the persecution.
He believes that the world always has darkness and light and that it would benefit people to be shown the light, rather than fight with the darkness, that Falun Dafa is the light, and this is [the power] that truly changes the world.
He expressed his appreciation for Falun Dafa practitioners, saying, “What they are doing benefits the planet, helps me and everyone, because they make this world more beautiful.”
Gratitude to Master Li Hongzhi for His Blessings to Humanity
Mr. Shaw also thanked Master Li for offered his blessings to mankind. He said, “You can only say, ‘Thank you.’”
Bank Clerk Jason Gill also expressed his gratitude to Master Li. He said, “Thank you, Master Li, for all that you have done for Falun Dafa and for all of us. All this will be passed down generation after generation.”
Mr. Bai Jiemin from Shanghai, China
Mr. Bai Jiemin from Shanghai praised Falun Dafa’s contribution to humankind. He said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are universal values. Master Li Hongzhi spreads Dafa far and wide, bringing light to humanity.”
Office Workers Experience the Wonder of Falun Dafa
Thursday, May 16, was a work day. Office workers saw the parade during their lunch break and were impressed by the magnificent parade. Many people took photos to share with friends and relatives and uploaded them to their social media accounts.
Mr. Tesfaye Ashne, a United Nations delegate, has seen Falun Dafa’s celebratory activities outside his office window for several years. This year he came outside to talk to Falun Dafa practitioners and find out more about Falun Dafa.
He said, “I have seen them (Falun Dafa practitioners) rally and parade here. Wonderful! It's amazing to be able to have so many people gather in such a short time.”
“Wonderful,” he said. “Beautiful clothing and people, smiles, waving ... Falun Dafa practitioners [from throughout the world] come here to display their core values and cultivation practice. It’s truly wonderful. They look happy.” He was eager to learn more about Falun Dafa.
Senior video engineer Lorenzo Famiglietti
Mr. Lorenzo Famiglietti, a video engineer, and his friends stopped to watch the parade. He commented that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is “wonderful” and it is what Falun Dafa practitioners demonstrate. The “Persecution should not have happened,” he said, “but what makes me happy is that in the United States, one can see everywhere that Falun Dafa practitioners demonstrate Falun Dafa’s core values and tell those who are not aware what has happened. That is very important.”
Jason Gill, a bank clerk, said that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance represents virtues that everyone should practice day-in and day-out.
Gill learned about the persecution of Falun Dafa years ago. He said, “They can come to New York, tell people why they are here, let people be aware and pay attention to the persecution against Falun Dafa, and help stop it. It is very important.”
Mr. Eugene Oliva, a business finance manager in New York, said that the parade was “colorful!” He praised practitioners from different countries for gathering together to raise awareness of the persecution.
Oliva had heard about the persecution through the media. He pointed to the section on the CCP’s state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting in a flyer and said, “It’s truly horrible. That should not happen and is absolutely wrong. The CCP rules people with terrible means, and people should be aware of what is happening.” He hoped the American government could do something to help stop the persecution. He also said, “I’ll pray for Falun Dafa practitioners.”
Chinese People Quit the CCP Organizations
Ms. Amy Wang, a Japanese language teacher from northeastern China, said that she first saw Falun Dafa practitioners when she came to the United States. She noticed their energy and unity. “Every Falun Dafa practitioner is like sunshine, uplifting and giving people positive energy.”
Ms. Wang said that Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance have a positive impact on people and that the parade in New York helps Chinese people learn the facts about Falun Dafa. She said she had just signed to take her stance to sever her ties with the CCP and its youth organizations.
As a victim of the CCP’s persecution, Mr. Bai Jiemin understands and feels sympathy for Falun Dafa practitioners’ 20-year ordeal. He said, “Falun Dafa practitioners’ most valuable attribute is their perseverance and unwavering belief.” He said he is full of confidence for the future.
According to The Epoch Times website, more than 303 million Chinese people have announced their withdrawals from the CCP and its youth organizations. Mr. Bai said that was an amazing number and predicted that, at that speed, the CCP officials will quit soon and then the CCP will be finished.
