(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the 40th St. Patrick’s Day parade in Goshen, the capital city of Orange County in Upstate New York, on March 15, 2026. Organizations from Goshen and Middletown participated the parade to celebrate the annual Irish tradition.
Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Upstate New York on March 15, 2026.
The practitioners’ procession included a banner team, fairy team, exercise demonstration team, and large drum team, adding a touch of eastern culture to the western holiday.
The practitioner in charge of communicating with the parade organizer said this was the fourth time they were invited to participate. “The organizer has invited us to participate every year. The first year we participated we were given the “Best Team” award. This year the parade organizers extended an invitation to practitioners several months in advance.”
Audience Welcomes Falun Dafa Practitioners
Doris Obremski of the local Rotary Club
Doris Obremski, a member of local Rotary Club, said she read about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa in a newspaper.
“Every time I see a Shen Yun advertisement on TV, I remind my husband that they are being persecuted,” she said. “Especially Shen Yun brings happiness to people and is a peaceful performance. They don’t hurt anyone but they are persecuted.”
She said it was truly remarkable that practitioners were able to participate in the parade. “I am happy to see Falun Dafa in the parade,” she said. She was particularly delighted to see that the group included many young people and students, as well as individuals of various ages. Having grown up in the US, she said it was difficult to imagine anyone being persecuted simply for their thoughts and beliefs, and said, They [Falun Dafa practitioners] are free to express themselves here.”
Anthony Scully and his sister watched the parade.
Anthony Scully, a retired school councilor of Newburgh, Orange County, has seen the parade many times. He said he’s half Irish, and he’s happy to see other ethnic groups participating in the parade.
He applauded as practitioners passed, and said, “Their procession is much bigger than previous years. This year’s procession is spectacular.” He said he liked the exercise demonstration.
He said he had heard of the CCP’s persecution in China, and that it was good to see practitioners in the parade. “This is precisely what America stands for—giving people the opportunity to express themselves freely,” he said.
Jennifer Quirk
Local resident Jennifer Quirk has participated in the parade since she was in the third grade, and this year her group walked in front of the practitioners. She said she noted practitioners in the parade in previous years because she’s heard of the CCP’s persecution in China and the state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting.
Practitioner Hopes More People Benefit From Practicing Dafa
Kosta Scabrino
Kosta Scabrino from Italy practices Falun Dafa and came to the US two years ago. This was the first time he’s participated in the parade. He said he hopes more people learn about Falun Dafa.
He started practicing Falun Dafa in 2003. “Falun Dafa is an important part of life for me and my wife. We benefit a lot and hope more people learn about this practice. I quit smoking and drinking, and I feel a sense of physical and mental well-being, as well as greater inner balance and stability.”
Reading the book Zhuan Falun answered many questions for him. “I’ve gained an understanding of some of life’s fundamental questions—such as where I came from and where I’m headed, which has been immensely beneficial to me. This also helped me face the various events, trials, and difficulties I encounter in life,” he said.
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