(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC, on July 4, 2024. This annual event celebrating the birth of the United States of American took place on July 4 at 11:45 a.m. along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street. This year, hundreds of thousands gathered along the parade route to be part of the most watched Independence Day parade in the country.

This was the 17^th year the Tian Guo Marching Band was invited to participate and was the only Chinese marching band in the parade. Several practitioners pulled a giant Uncle Sam balloon. Two of them stood on the Falun Dafa float and demonstrated the exercises. The banners on the sides of the float read “Falun Dafa Is Good” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance.” Practitioners dressed as celestial maidens walked alongside the float and waved to the spectators.

Falun Dafa practitioners in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC, on July 4 pull an Uncle Sam balloon to celebrate the country’s birthday.

The Tian Guo Marching Band in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC, on July 4

Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises on the float.

The crowds applauded and cheered as the Falun Dafa procession walked down Constitution Ave., and many recorded the group with their phones.

Spectators on Constitution Ave. took photos and videos of the Falun Dafa group during the Independence Day Parade.

Inspired by the Welcoming Crowd

Michelle Mi, the conductor of the Tian Guo Marching Band, said that close to 130 Band members participated in the celebration this year. They played seven pieces, including “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Sacred Song,” and “Delivering Treasure.”

Michelle said the heat this year made it extra challenging for the band members. But seeing how excited the crowd was and that many waved and cheered as the band played really inspired everyone.

“Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, because I love America’s spirit of freedom. I am glad to participate in this parade to celebrate America's birthday. Seeing so many people watching the parade makes me happy, because I get to share our wonderful practice of Falun Dafa. We are thankful that we can enjoy freedom of belief in America. The spectators’ eyes lit up when they saw the members of the band in their handsome Tang Dynasty-style uniforms. We were told that we are a very special marching band,” Michelle said.

Falun Dafa’s Procession Stands Out

“This is my first time seeing Falun Dafa practitioners in a parade. Their entry is really cool, it absolutely stands out,” said Logan from Nebraska.

“The first group was a large marching band in blue and white costumes. Then there was a float with several ladies in silk dresses. Some of them carried parasols and waved at the audience. One dressed in bright green meditated on a lotus flower. It looked amazing.”

Logan (right) came from Nebraska to see the parade.

Ivan and his friend, who were visiting from France, praised the Falun Dafa entry, saying, “It’s amazing. My friend and I have never seen anything like it before. The band looked very different from other marching bands we’ve seen.”

Ivan (right) and his friend from France

Jordan from Canada was impressed by the Falun Dafa float. He said, “I like how it [the float] looks ... very appealing.”

Jordan from Canada

Alex and Coline from Boston attended the parade. Alex said, “I think [the practitioners’ procession] looks beautiful. I like all the colors and costumes and the parasols. They are eye-catching, and different from everything we’ve seen so far.”

Coline said that she enjoyed the Tian Guo Marching Band, “I like their costumes, very unique.”

Alex (right) and Coline from Boston

Sheryl from South Africa is a student. She and her family were excited to see the Falun Dafa’s procession. “They look wonderful,” she said. She and her parents, who were visiting the US, watched the parade and fireworks to experience the festive atmosphere of Independence Day.

Sheryl (first right) and her parents from South Africa

Falun Dafa Practitioners Enjoy Freedom of Belief in the US

Miles from England said that the band looked majestic and was impressed with the traditional Chinese costumes the practitioners on the float wore. He said that he’d met practitioners in London’s Chinatown and knew that practitioners in China were brutally persecuted. He thought that it was great that the practitioners were invited to participate in the Independence Day parade and that they got to enjoy freedom and live a normal life in the US.

Miles from England

Mario from Honduras said that he was impressed by the Falun Dafa procession, especially the uniforms and coordinated movements of the members of the band. He took many photos of the float. When he heard that some practitioners in the parade had been persecuted in China, he said, “They are good people, and they are free now. They must feel safe now in the US.”

Mario from Honduras