(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in Sydney participated in Street Alive and Parade Day in Blacktown, the largest suburb in Sydney, Australia on May 30, 2015.

Practitioners have participated in the annual festival for 16 years. The Falun Dafa entry has received the first place award for seven consecutive years. Local officials expressed their appreciation for the practitioners' contribution to the parade and community.

The entry, composed of the Divine Land Marching Band, celestial maidens, a Falun Dafa float, colorful banners and flags, and joyful waist drummers, won warm applause and cheers.

Falun Dafa's Divine Land Marching Band greets the crowd.Waist drummers bring joy to the crowd.

The colorful Falun Dafa float bears the Chinese characters for “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.”

The master of ceremonies enthusiastically introduced Falun Dafa as the procession passed the main stage, as spectators applauded and waved. Several guests walked down from the stage and thanked the practitioners for their participation.

Officials Praise Falun Dafa Practitioners for Contributions to the Parade and Community

Kerry Robinson, General Manager of the Blacktown City Council

“The Falun Dafa display was absolutely wonderful, very bright, very lively and absolutely added to the quality of the event. They showed the beauty of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance in their demonstration. It was very, very good!” commented Mr. Kerry Robinson, general manager of the Blacktown City Council.

City Councilor Tony Bleasdale OAM

Echoing Mr. Robinson, City Councilor Tony Bleasdale said, “The Falun Dafa exhibition and demonstration was quite excellent and really shows the involvement of the city of Blacktown. They are absolutely wonderful people for showing the beauty of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance to society.”

Praises also hailed from former mayor and acting general manager of Liverpool Plains Shire Council, representing Blacktown's sister city.

Ian Lobsey, former mayor of Liverpool Plains Shire said, “I have been coming to the parade for 10 years. As usual, the Falun Dafa participation of practitioners was very impressive. Thank you for coming and making this a very enjoyable parade.”

Ron Van Katwyk, Acting General Manager of Liverpool Plains Shire Council, and his wife

Mr. Ron Van Katwyk was impressed by the parade's multiculturalism. “It's very admirable that people have such discipline. The persecution [of Falun Dafa in China] should not be happening. We have a long way to go in the world to make it perfect, but the more people like Falun Dafa practitioners that set a role model, the sooner that day will come!” he said.

Local Citizens Deeply Concerned About the Persecution

After the parade, practitioners continued demonstrating the Falun Dafa exercises, distributing informational materials, and collecting signatures, calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Dafa in China.

Locals learn about the violent suppression of Falun Dafa in China and sign a petition condemning the persecution.

Mick Connolly from Australia says it is inconceivable that such a peaceful group is being persecuted in China.