California, USA: City Councilors Praise Falun Dafa at Cherry Festival Parade

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were again invited to participate in the Cherry Festival Parade held in San Leandro, San Francisco Bay Area, California, on June 7, 2025. San Leandro city councilors were happy to see practitioners in the parade and commended Falun Dafa. One said that the city, the U.S., and the whole world need Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Falun Dafa Practitioners were welcomed at the Cherry Festival Parade on June 7.

People come to the practitioners’ booth to learn more about Falun Dafa.

Practitioners’ entry consisted of an exercise team, a waist drum team, and a dragon dance team. People on both sides of the street cheered when practitioners appeared.

City Councilor: Our City Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

City councilor Fred Simon (first on left) and his family.

City councilor Fred Simon was pleased to see practitioners. “It’s awesome that your group is participating,” he said. “As I was walking up with my family, I saw all the beautiful bright colors. I’m very happy that you’re participating and hopefully joining more events in San Leandro. We’d like to have more participation and want you to be all over San Leandro.”

When he learned about Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, he said, “We need Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. That's what we need in our city, our country, our world. I love it.

“We have to be kind to each other. That's the motto of our: 'City of Kindness,' which fits right into these three. We have to care for each other.”

Simon was very interested in Falun Dafa and asked where practitioners did the exercises. He was happy to learn it was the park near his home. He invited practitioners to participate in an event he is organizing and which will be held in September.

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is Great

City councilor Dylan Boldt (second from right).

City councilor Dylan Boldt said, “I think everybody should participate in the parade. I love that different organizations from our community are coming out to participate. I think this is a great way for us to show off who we are as a city, all the different elements that make us San Leandro.”

He said that he often saw practitioners doing the exercises in the park in the morning. “I like to watch them do the exercises. It’s really peaceful,” he said. Talking about Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, he remarked, “I think those are great principles to live by. If more people were to follow those principles, it would be a much better place to live.”

Deputy Mayor Aguilar Pleased to See Falun Dafa Practitioners

Deputy Mayor Victor Aguilar.

Deputy Mayor Victor Aguilar said, “I think its wonderful your organization is participating. We can all be better on Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. San Leandro is a compassionate and tolerant city.”

City Councillor Bryan Azevedo was pleased practitioners participated in the parade.

City Councilor Bryan Azevedo said, “It is great that Falun Dafa practitioners joined the parade. We are a very diverse festival. We love their participation. Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance are important. Truthfulness, being truthful, Compassion, have compassion for people, and Tolerance for people with different beliefs.”

Parade Host: Falun Dafa Practitioners’ Procession Is Spectacular

Parade host Cheryl Hurd (left) and another host, Angela.

The parade host, Cheryl Hurd, former NBC anchor, said as the practitioners’ group passed by the rostrum, “The procession coming now is from Falun Dafa. The principles they follow are Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. I like the principles. Everyone can learn Falun Dafa. They participated in the parade last year.”

Another host, Angela, said, “Falun Dafa’s group is very festive. We appreciate the culture they have brought. It’s great. Their procession is spectacular. It’s large and diverse, and the audience is interested.”

We Need Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance More Than Ever

Parade judge Tiare Pena.

Parade judge Tiare Pena said, “I like Falun Dafa. It is a wonderful practice and inspires me. Today we need Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance more than ever.”

Parade judge Gopal praised the Falun Dafa practitioners’ team.

Another parade judge Gopal, said that he knew about Falun Dafa. “Falun Dafa is very good,” he said. “The practitioners’ procession is beautiful, spectacular, and professional. I think Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are great and important.”