(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners of the Seattle area of Washington State participated in the Snoqualmie Days Grand Parade on August 20, 2022. Their highly-praised float won the Best Float Award.

The Best Float Award went to the Falun Dafa Association of Washington.

Falun Gong practitioners participate in the Snoqualmie Days Grand Parade.

Snoqualmie, a tourist town east of Seattle, is known for Snoqualmie Falls. Former Mayor Matt Larson has issued two proclamations to Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong) in 2007 and 2021. Officials from the Chinese Consulate attempted to pressure Mayor Larson to rescind the proclamation in 2007. Mayor Larson stood firm on the freedom of belief and refused the Chinese Consulate’s request. Mayor Katherine Ross proclaimed May 13 as Falun Dafa Day in the city this year.

Parade spectators were fascinated by the Falun Gong procession. They took pictures and waved at practitioners. Some pressed their hands together in front of the chest to thank practitioners.

A man named Mike stepped out of the booth of the American Allegiance group, and clapped his hands for the Falun Gong procession. He told a practitioner that he was touched to see practitioners. “Your float, music and exercises make me feel calm!” He said he had served in China and Vietnam, and admitted to liking the Chinese culture. “Thank you for coming!” he told the practitioners.

Falun Gong introductory fliers and paper lotus flowers were well received by spectators. They admired the beautiful handmade flowers, and thanked practitioners. 

A woman approached practitioners after the parade and said, “Thank you for telling us about the persecution in China! We need to know it. So many people take our freedom for granted. They should know what’s going on in China.”

Organizers and the float judges also thanked practitioners for bringing the beautiful procession to the community, and praised the practitioners’ great performance.