(Minghui.org) Over the past couple of weeks, Falun Gong practitioners have participated in a variety of community events in the U.S.A. and Canada, introducing this self-improvement practice to the public and exposing the persecution of the practice in China. This report covers six different community events in North America.
Michigan, U.S.A.
Practitioners from Michigan participated in the "Music Parade" of the 89th annual Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan on May 12, one of the five largest tulip festivals in the world.
More than 250 thousand people watched the 2-mile long parade. Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the exercises and performed on traditional Chinese drums on the streets of Holland, which had been decorated with millions of tulips.
The Falun Gong float in the 89th annual Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan.
Practitioners take part in the Tulip Time Festival "Music Parade".
The Tang-style drum performance.
The Executive Director of the Holland Area Visitors Bureau, Sally Laukitis, praised practitioners for bringing a multi-cultural aspect to the community.
Russ Miller, Chair of the Rotary Club of Holland (right), has seen Falun Gong everywhere in the world. He believes that it is important for American people to know about Falun Gong and the religious persecution in China.
Practitioners wish Master Li Hongzhi (the founder of Falun Gong) a happy birthday (May 13).
New York, U.S.A.
On May 7 and 8, practitioners from the State of New York held a “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” Art Exhibition in the capitol building in Albany, introducing Falun Gong to State government officials and exposing the persecution in China.
State Senator Frederick J. Akshar II (third from right) supports Falun Gong's peaceful resistance.
State Representative Joe Errigo (middle) has a picture taken with Falun Gong practitioners.
Visitors sign the guest book.
California, U.S.A.
Practitioners from Fremont, California, held a free Falun Gong workshop in the public library on April 28. Ten students took the course.
Learning the exercises in a free Falun Gong workshop of the public library in Fremont, California.
Rizalino, an attendee from San Jose, has an 83-year old friend who practices Falun Gong. “He is very healthy, different than others,” he said, “so I want to learn.”
“What I learned here, besides meditation, are [the principles of] truthfulness-compassion-forbearance,” he said. “One would not make mistakes, if he or she follows this principle.”
“I feel very good, very encouraged,” he added.
Sukh Deep, a high school science teacher, found this practice righteous.
“My stiff body became relaxed during the exercises,” he said, and invited practitioners to teach the exercises to his class.
British Columbia, Canada
Canadian practitioners performed at the May Festival held in Port Coquitlam on May 12.
Practitioners' Tian Guo Marching Band take part in the May Festival in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.
Practitioners' float in the May Festival parade.
The waist drum performance.
The Falun Gong entry included the Tian Guo Marching Band, a waist drum troupe, a decorated float, and a group of practitioners demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises.
As practitioners have taken part in this event many years in a row, spectators are familiar with Falun Gong and welcomed their participation again this year.
Canada
On May 5, practitioners participated in the annual “Experience Asia” Festival held in the City Hall of Gatineau.
Demonstrating the exercises
Marilou Ubina, a professor at the University of Ottawa, is interested in the Falun Gong exercises for their effect on helping people relax. She also praised the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Practitioners from Toronto participated in the “Total Health 2018” from May 11 to 13, the largest health expo in Canada, which attracted more than 50,000 visitors this year.
Introducing Falun Gong to visitors at the “Total Health 2018” expo in Toronto.
Practitioners in Toronto introduced Falun Gong to public.
Monica (right) was amazed by the power of Falun Gong. “I just followed you and learned a few movements, and then I felt heat going through my body,” she said. “This practice cultivates one's inner peace.”
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