(Clearwisdom.net) On October 2, 2004, the annual Multicultural Parade was held in a busy area in Spring Branch, a neighborhood in northwest Houston. About 80 organizations were represented in the parade, including major US airlines, banks, large supermarkets, schools, different ethnic groups and several city officials and city council members. Numerous Houston residents came to watch and enjoy the parade. This was the first time that Falun Gong practitioners took part in this parade. Their performances were warmly received.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The parade formally stepped off at 10 am. A team holding the American Flag and Texas State Flag led the grand parade. After them were several city council members' vehicles, followed by huge floats from several major companies and local ethnic organizations, all of which were very colorful and eye-catching. Different groups' colorful performances displayed the diverse cultures of the area, and spectators along the roadside joyfully enjoyed the parade.
Falun Gong practitioners' huge banner with the words, "Falun Dafa ¨CTruthfulness Compassion Tolerance" could be seen from afar. Spectators raised their heads and looked up as they approached. In this area, very few people knew about Falun Dafa before. People were eager to learn what Falun Dafa is all about. When the practitioners' procession passed by, spectators were very attracted to it. An organizer of the Spring Branch Parade excitedly said through microphone, "Here comes the Falun Dafa group!" Two other organizers read out the words on the banner, "Falun Dafa ¨CTruthfulness Compassion Tolerance" and said to themselves, "Wonderful!"
Apart from the huge banner, practitioners also demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, displayed Tang Dynasty costumes, and gave waist drum and Tang Dynasty drum performances. Their performances won warm applause. Some spectators even copied the movements of the Falun Gong exercises. Some praised the waist drum and Tang Dynasty drum troupes and the Tang Dynasty costumes. Upon watching the Tang Dynasty costume show, a Western woman sighed with excitement, "Beautiful! So beautiful!"
Practitioners brought many Falun Dafa introductory materials and people were very happy to receive them. All the materials were distributed. Practitioners excitedly said, "If there is such an opportunity next time, we will bring more materials to hand out and let even more people learn about Falun Dafa."
