(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners participated in two Independence Day Parades on July 4, 2022. One group participated in the Redwood City parade and the other group participated in the Larkspur parade. Both groups were well received by spectators, and many people praised Falun Dafa and its principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.
Practitioners were well received at the Redwood City parade.
Redwood City lies on San Francisco’s peninsula. The annual Independence Day parade is the largest in Northern California and began in 1939. Practitioners’ entry was composed of a Falun Dafa exercise demonstration group, a waist drum team, flag team and a decorated float. The exercise demonstration team led the group. Spectators on both sides of the street applauded as practitioners passed by.
Parade Organizers: Spectators Enjoy Falun Dafa Practitioners’ Performances
Bill Anderson (left) and Bob Anderson, organizers of the parade
Bill Anderson, one of the parade organizers said, “Falun Dafa’s procession is full of vitality and energy. Their costumes are colorful, bright and vibrant. Their participation has a positive effect on our community.”
Bob Anderson, another parade organizer, agreed with Bill and said, “Falun Dafa’s procession is beautiful. The spectators enjoyed it and many people said it brought them peace and tranquility.”
The Tian Guo Marching Band was invited to the 4th of July Independence Day parade in Larkspur. The band performed, “Falun Dafa is good,” “Triumphant Return,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” and others. Many spectators said that the Tian Guo Marching Band was the best and it left a deep impression on them.
The Tian Guo Marching Band participated in the July 4th Independence Day Parade in Larkspur, California.
Spectators cheered and called out, “Falun Dafa!”
The Tian Guo Marching Band at the July 4th Independence Day Parade in Larkspur, California.
Practitioners distribute information about Falun Dafa.
Some people were interested in the band before the parade started. Ms. Piona, who was also participating in the parade, asked to take a picture with the Tian Guo Marching Band and said, “This band is spectacular. The scale of this band is like that of a military marching band. It is amazing.”
Upon seeing the Chinese characters, “Falun Dafa.” Ms. Piona asked what it meant. After a practitioner explained what Falun Dafa was, she said, “This is beautiful. I’ve heard about the ongoing persecution in China. It is evil.”
Stephanie Douglas (first on left) was happy to see Falun Dafa practitioners.
Stephanie Douglas was also participating in the parade and said, “I like Falun Dafa’s procession a lot. I am happy to see them participating in this parade.”
Falun Dafa’s Principles Are Important
Jennifer happily applauded as the practitioners’ procession passed by. She said, “The music pieces performed by the Tian Guo Marching Band are beautiful. I received an informational booklet about Falun Dafa. I like Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Thank you for participating in this parade today.”
Ms. Marina said, “Falun Dafa practitioners are very compassionate.”
Ms. Marina happily said, “Falun Dafa’s procession is magnificent. I like the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I can feel the divine side of Falun Dafa practitioners. Look at their faces, they seem so peaceful and compassionate.”
Thank You for All That You’re Doing for Us
John gives Falun Dafa practitioners two thumbs up.
“The Falun Dafa procession is spectacular,” John said as practitioners paraded past him. He gave practitioners two thumbs up and said, “They are amazing. Falun Dafa practitioners are good and compassionate people. I know that they participate in parades all over the world. I know that they’ve just attended the parade in Portland. Thank you [practitioners] for all that you’re doing for us.”
Ms. Maria said, “We should all abide and live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
“The marching band is magnificent and superb. The colors are also vibrant. The principles of Falun Dafa are beautiful and we should abide and live by them. Happy 4th of July,” said Ms. Maria.
Ms. Penny said Falun Dafa’s principles are splendid.
Ms. Penny brought her daughter to the parade. She said, “This marching band is one of a kind. I admire them.” Upon hearing of Falun Dafa’s principles, her eyes brightened and she said, “These principles are splendid. Falun Dafa can alleviate stress. I will research more about Falun Dafa.”
Ms. Marina and her son enjoy the parade.
Ms. Marina, brought her son to enjoy the parade. She said that Falun Dafa’s procession is great and she enjoyed the music played by the marching band. She thanked practitioners and said she would research more about Falun Dafa.
Ms. Nicole said, “I am filled with respect for Falun Dafa practitioners.”
“I am astounded by this marching band. They are very neat and their performance is very high quality. What amazed me was seeing band members of all ages. I am filled with respect for them. They are amazing,” said Ms. Nicole.
Ms. Beverly said, “Falun Dafa practitioners inspire me.”
Ms. Beverly said, “They [Falun Dafa practitioners] are magnificent. The procession inspires me. I like the musical pieces and I have seen no other marching band as professional as this one.”
She said, “I’ve heard about Falun Dafa in the news before. I know they are a group of people with faith. This group is superb. I know Falun Dafa practitioners are being persecuted in China. I am very happy to see practitioners practicing freely in the United States. Let’s celebrate the 4th of July and freedom!”
Background: What Is Falun Dafa?
Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings—which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—and learned the five exercises have experienced improved health and well-being.
Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline’s growing popularity as a threat to the CCP’s atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, issued an order to ban the practice.
Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 22 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. More have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.
There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply the organ transplant industry.
Under Jiang’s personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.
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