(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the Evanston Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2024. They have been invited to participate in this parade every year since 2001.

Located just north of Chicago, Evanston is home to Northwestern University. Both sides of the streets were lined with local residents as well as tourists. The practitioners’ entry included various sections including flags and banners, waist drummers, a float and exercise demonstration. Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises on the beautifully decorated float emblazoned with banners reading,“Falun Dafa Is Great,” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.”

Falun Dafa practitioners took part in the Evanston Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2024.

People all along the route warmly applauded and cheered the Falun Dafa contingent. Some took video recordings on their mobile phones, while others danced to the beat of waist drums or mimicked practitioners as they did the exercises. Many people complimented the float as well as Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. They accepted information about Falun Dafa and read the fliers.

Spectators enjoy the Falun Dafa contingent in the Evanston Independence Day parade.

Interested in Reading Zhuan Falun

Brandon Birmingham and Dolly Renteria could not stop praising the Falun Dafa contingent and kept saying, “It’s great! Amazing!”

Brandon said, “We cherish freedom here as well as the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.” They said they previously heard about Falun Dafa and the persecution in China. Dolly said she was keen to learn more. Brandon told practitioners he wanted to read the main book Zhuan Falun. “I’m delighted to see you,” he said. “Thank you for participating in the parade.”

Brandon Birmingham (left) and Dolly Renteria loved the practitioners’ entry.

Jax, who lives near Evanston, brought her daughter to see the parade. She was deeply impressed by the practitioners’ performances and said, “This is so cool! This float put me in a great mood to see today’s parade.”

Jax said she'd heard about Falun Dafa before, was glad to learn more about it, and hopes to practice one day.

Jax (on left) and her daughter were some of the many spectators who loved the practitioners’ performance.

Praise for Practitioners’ Float and Performances

Janet Naples loved the practitioners’ performances and said she was grateful to receive information about Falun Dafa and wanted to know more.

Janet Naples was delighted to receive a flier about Falun Gong.

Angela Merrick who lives in Evanston came to see the parade with her family. She said the float was spectacular and impressive. She added that the exercise demonstrations on the float and the principles of the practice – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance – made her curious about Falun Dafa and interested in finding out more.

Angela Merrick (on right) and her family loved the practitioners' display.

Jenny Mast also said the float caught her attention. “It’s spectacular,” she said. “I want to know more about Falun Dafa.”

Jenny Mast said the float made her want to find out more about the practice of Falun Dafa.

Support from the Community

Falun Dafa practitioner Lonn Yang said no matter where you are from on this planet, people long for freedom, especially freedom of belief. This is a right that should be supported. She said, “Falun Dafa practitioners attend Independence Day parades to let people understand who we are and the persecution we face [in China]. Besides celebrating Independence Day, people realize we have the same goal and mission of safeguarding and cherishing freedom.

“For so many years, the organizers have invited us to participate in this parade. This shows they understand who we are, what we stand for, what we are against and that we also celebrate freedom.”

Lonn Yang participates in the 2024 Evanston Independence Day parade.

This is the ninth year that Jen Petersen has helped judge the Evanston Independence Day parade. She said, “It’s an opportunity for members of our community to come out and enjoy as well as celebrate tradition and freedom in addition to truly supporting one another. Today, nearly 80 groups are in the parade. From children to the elderly, there are all kinds of groups. It is definitely a great way to support one another.”

Jen Petersen, an official judge for the Evanston Independence Day parade.