(Minghui.org) Practitioners participated in the Chinese New Year celebrations on February 1, 2025, in Flushing, New York. In addition to the Tian Guo Marching Band, they also did the dragon dance and gave drum team performances. They were well received by spectators, especially Chinese people.

The Tian Guo Marching Band participated in the Chinese New Year parade on February 1, 2025 in Flushing, New York

Practitioners’ banners in the parade

Many people said they were excited to see Falun Gong practitioners and their positive energy. Some Chinese said they were very touched, because practitioners peacefully endured decades of brutal persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Others said they felt practitioners did not do this for themselves, but for humanity and to uplift society.

Hope for the Future

Liu, a local resident, said this was the first time he saw Falun Gong practitioners in a parade. “This is amazing!” he said. “I didn’t know Falun Gong practitioners were so impressive.” He then talked about a practitioner he met in China.

Liu traveled to Xinjiang for a vacation. On the way there, a woman told him about Falun Gong, the CCP’s suppression, and why one should quit the CCP organizations. “We all know how tight the CCP controls Xinjiang. That’s why I admired that Falun Gong practitioner for her courage in telling me this,” Liu explained.

He said that, seeing the large parade in New York, he felt hope for the future. Liu also wished to tell practitioners in China that they are not alone. “I believe people all over the world will embrace the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” he added. “One day, practitioners inside China will regain their freedom and be able to practice in public like they do here.”

A woman named He smiled broadly as she videotaped the parade. “I feel so happy,” she said. “I just told my friend: ‘Look how great Falun Gong practitioners are! Both their formation and performances are so traditional and wonderful.’”

A woman named Liu, also took pictures. “One cannot see something like this in China. This is so cool! I like the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I wish all practitioners well!”

Wang said she watched the parade for years. “I’m deeply touched by what I see here. These are the traditional values my parents taught me, something so precious!”

A new immigrant Zhang Wenxiang said this was the first time to see a parade of Falun Gong practitioners. “I really like this – so many practitioners and so joyful. Really awesome!”

“I Want to Be Part of Them”

Guang, a local resident, said she watches the parade every year and is always glad to see Falun Gong practitioners. “I just told a neighbor that I come to watch the parade mainly because of Falun Gong. These practitioners always make the parade better and they are so great,” she explained. “They are neat and well organized, and everyone looks so wonderful!”

Coming from China, Guang said she also heard lots of slanderous propaganda against Falun Gong. But what she saw in the parade over these years changed her view. “I hope Falun Gong will get bigger and bigger. After all, the practice improves both mind and body – so why not?!”

A young couple, Chen and Lin, moved to the U.S. a few years ago and they watch the parade every year. “It is hard to find such a great performance during the Chinese New Year parade. This is really extraordinary,” Chen said.

“My New Year wish is that I want to be part of them [Falun Gong practitioners]. I like everything here!” exclaimed Lin. Her husband nodded in agreement.

Inner Strength

Jie Lijian, a renowned human rights advocate, also came to watch the parade. He said he was touched by practitioners’ inner strength. “There was a little snow this morning and it was cold. But as soon as Falun Gong practitioners came, I was cheered up by their smiles and positive energy—like a spring breeze,” he said. “Falun Gong practitioners are great and their performance is the best. Everyone is so neat and everyone is smiling. I like it a lot.”

During these 26 years when Falun Gong is suppressed in China, many practitioners suffered terribly. “Some of them have been detained and tortured; some have lost their loved ones and their families were broken. I cannot imagine how hard it is to go through this,” Jie continued. “But during this New Year celebration, I can see their inner strength and the hope they bring society.”

As New Year arrives, Jie said he wished every Falun Gong practitioner well. “Sooner or later, we will see the era when the totalitarian CCP regime collapses,” he added.

Jin Xiuhong, another democracy advocate, was also spending the Chinese New Year in New York. Because of her busy schedule, this is the first time she’d seen the parade in Flushing. “I want to wish Master Li, the founder of Falun Gong, and all practitioners a happy New Year! Please keep it up because our world needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance!”

“Falun Gong Practitioners Are Helping Save Mankind”

Zhang Ren, a human rights lawyer who recently left China, said he was very touched by the parade, “Flushing has one of the largest Chinese communities and I’m amazed by this grand parade.” He said the persecution of Falun Gong is the largest human rights violation in Chinese history.

“I defended Falun Gong practitioners when I was in China. I really admire their courage and perseverance,” he continued. “Chinese society needs traditional values and needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. This is why I hope more people know this and support Falun Gong practitioners.”

Wu Pingqi, a businessman from Wuhan City in Hubei Province, said he came to the U.S. a year ago. He knew the CCP made up many lies to deceive the public. When the staged Tiananmen Square Self-Immolation incident occurred in January 2001, he immediately questioned it. He later received materials from Falun Gong practitioners that confirmed it was a hoax.

After he read the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party Wu became clearer on the vicious nature of the CCP. “I respect Falun Gong practitioners because they sacrificed so much for their faith. In fact, they are doing so not for themselves, but for our society – Falun Gong practitioners are helping save mankind,” he continued.

“There are over one billion people suffering in China because of the CCP. It’s peaceful Falun Gong practitioners who step forward and safeguard their principles – that’s why I admire them, because we can all learn from Falun Gong practitioners,” Wu added. Seeing the police officers were on site to help maintain order of the parade, he was also thankful for the freedom in the United States.

A woman surnamed Zhao smiled happily as she took videos of the parade. “I am not a Falun Gong practitioner, but I agree with their values,” she explained. “Our society cannot exist without the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Yes, Falun Gong practitioners are helping to save mankind.”

Quitting the CCP and Returning to Traditional Values

Members of the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP participated in the parade

Tian said he was heavily brainwashed by the CCP and blindly believed whatever the Party said. It was not until 10 years ago when he was able to overcome the Internet blockade in China and access overseas information that he learned the truth.

Someone gave Tian a Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party DVD. “In the past, I knew something was very wrong in China, but I didn’t know what it was. Now I found the root cause,” he said. “Because the CCP promotes class struggle and brutality, it relies on lies to incite hatred. That’s why the regime suppressed people and wiped out traditional values. The regime is not only bad, but also evil.”

Seeing the large group of Falun Gong practitioners in Flushing, Tian is optimistic. “As more and more people see through the vicious nature of the CCP, I think the situation will change soon. We Chinese will regain our traditional values,” he explained. “I hope to see such a parade in China soon.”