Upstate New York, U.S.A: Falun Dafa Practitioners Join Grand Island's Independence Day Parade

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in Upstate New York were invited to participate in the annual Independence Day parade on July 3, 2021, in Grand Island near Niagara Falls.

Grand Island's Independence Day parade is an important event locally, but last year it was canceled because of the pandemic. This year, the town's residents welcomed the return of the parade with great enthusiasm. According to the host's estimate, about 3,000 to 4,000 residents arrived early and lined both sides of the street to await the parade procession.

Falun Dafa practitioners started designing their float more than a month ago. On the day of the parade, they arrived early to begin assembling their float, which added vibrancy to the parade.

The audience could be heard applauding wherever the Falun Dafa float went. Practitioners handed out pamphlets about Falun Dafa to spectators. Several people commented that practitioners looked beautiful and peaceful, and many people said they wanted to read the information more carefully when they returned home.

Practitioners participate in Grand Island's Independence Day parade

People receive pamphlets about Falun Dafa

A little girl carefully reads a brochure about Falun Dafa

One resident told a practitioner, “I often read the Epoch Times, and I know very well what has happened in China and the atrocities committed by the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] over the past century. I hate this. I wish you good luck!”

When the float passed the main stage of the parade, the parade's emcee welcomed the float and introduced Falun Dafa. He then asked a practitioner, “Did I pronounce Falun Dafa right? Your stuff is so good, and I really really like it!”