(Minghui.org) Practitioners in the United Kingdom held a grand parade in central London on May 11, 2024, to celebrate the 25th World Falun Dafa Day and the 32nd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world, and to wish their founder, Master Li Hongzhi, a happy birthday.
The parade consisted of the waist drum team, the fairy team, the dragon dance team, and an exercise demonstration. It started from the front of the Chinese Embassy and passed through the busiest commercial districts and Chinatown in central London. When practitioners arrived at St. Martin’s Square, they held a press conference, and celebration activities in St. Martin’s Square, Leicester Square, and Chinatown.
The parade to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day passed through central London.
The parade passed through London’s Chinatown.
Press Conference “This Is A Day of Global Significance”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office, Scottish National Party Foreign Affairs Spokesman Brendan O’Hara, and a number of members of the British House of Commons wrote in advance to express their support for Falun Gong and to congratulate the event.
A Falun Dafa practitioner reads a letter of support from a British dignitary.
At the press conference, a Falun Dafa representative read the letters of support from British dignitaries. The British Prime Minister’s Office wrote: “The government is deeply concerned about Falun Gong practitioners and others who are persecuted in China because of their religion or belief, and there is credible evidence that Falun Gong practitioners are being severely abused. The Government believes that societies committed to safeguarding freedom of religion or belief are more stable, prosperous, and better able to withstand violent extremism.”
Rosemary, a representative of the Falun Dafa Association in the United Kingdom, speaks in the press conference
Rosemary, a representative of the UK Falun Dafa Association, said in her speech: “The significance of World Falun Dafa Day is not only about the cultivation of Falun Dafa itself, but also has a special meaning in the hearts of practitioners around the world and has a profound impact on the entire human race. Falun Dafa practitioners have always adhered to the concepts of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Their peaceful struggle is a testament to the power of the universal values that this practice upholds. We believe that one day in the future, people will say, ‘This is a day of global significance; Let’s all remember it.”
Speech by John Dee, President of the European Friends of Falun Gong.
John Dee, the president of the European Friends of Falun Gong, said in his speech: “Falun Dafa has had a profound impact on millions of people and changed their destinies. It teaches people to have compassion for others, encourages them to reflect on their own shortcomings instead of resenting others, and always strives to find the truth. We hope that these positive factors will eventually become a turning point in human history. We would like to thank Master Li Hongzhi and wish him a happy birthday!”
Ma Jian, a famous Chinese writer in the UK, speaks at the rally
Speaking at the rally, Ma Jian, a well-known Chinese writer in Britain, expressed his gratitude to Mr. Li Hongzhi and said, “The CCP will not bring us beauty and peace. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is a righteous concept, and this concept must be disseminated.”
People from Around the World Support Falun Dafa
Practitioners held events at St. Martin’s Square and Leicester Square
Along the parade and throughout the event, many people stopped to watch, take pictures, receive leaflets, and express their support for Falun Dafa and practitioners.
A lady from China who works in a Chinatown restaurant told a Falun Dafa practitioner, “The parade is so magnificent, neatly aligned, the wonderful posture of the fairies and the earth-shaking drumming sound of the waist drum team are like divine soldiers descending from the sky. It’s hard to imagine that such a group has been suppressed. I wish you good luck!”
Ms. Heather Joy Howard wishes the Master of Falun Dafa a happy birthday!
Ms. Heather Joy Howard carefully read each display board and then signed the petition to end the persecution. When she learned that Falun Dafa is practiced in more than 100 countries, she said, “This is really good! I’m glad to see this today, it’s been 32 years. This is really good news. I wish Falun Dafa’s Master a happy birthday!”
She said, “I’m a Christian, and I respect other faiths. We need each other and I’m happy to be here. I love the idea of true love, peace, joy, and hope. In the West, however, we seem to have overlooked some of them. To put it simply, people not only have a physical, mental, but also spiritual level. In the West, we focus on physical and mental health, but neglect spiritual nourishment. And we need to balance that. Because it will give us hope and give us joy.
“It’s all very significant, and it’s great! Will I see this on TV? Good, so that more people will be aware. Yes. The man who is speaking now sounds British. This is good. This is not only Chinese but inclusive. For people of all countries, that’s great!”
She took a dozen flyers to share with her friends.
Grace, a Teacher at Outdoor Forest School said, I sincerely appreciate what you are doing.
Grace, who is a teacher, said, “I really appreciate that you are doing this in such a beautiful way. How can I say it? It’s hard to put into words, but it’s not a radical demonstration, it’s a peaceful, elegant one. I sincerely appreciate what you have done, and I will learn more about it and spread the word.”
Nicola praised Falun Dafa.
Nicola, a spiritual life coach, said she was touched by the event, “I think it’s a wonderful reminder of the diversity of cultures in the world and bringing different cultures together. For me, it’s a memorable demonstration of the presence of Eastern wisdom in Western civilization and how we come together—we are not separate, we are united.”
When she learned that Falun Dafa is practiced in more than 100 countries, she said, “I think it’s really amazing. You know, it would be good if we could get Falun Dafa to the countries where it’s most needed.”
Bernardo Pratos and his friend.
Bernardo Pratos is a software engineer. He and his friend signed a petition to end the persecution, and said, “I see peace in your activities, which is a peaceful expression of resisting persecution and defending personal freedom, and conveys the emotion of inner peace. It’s a very beautiful gesture.
“Everyone should have their own cultural beliefs and traditions and be able to unite freely as citizens, no matter where they are in the world,” he said.
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