(Minghui.org) Practitioners in New York were invited to the 28th annual Brooklyn Unity Walk and Community Parade on August 2, 2025, where they introduced Falun Dafa. Their exercise demonstrations, waist drum team, and lotus dance performances were well received by spectators.
Over 1,000 people attended the event, including U.S. Congressional members and their staff, state legislators, city councilors, and NYPD officers. In addition, religious leaders, community volunteers, immigrant advocates, and local businesses also participated in the festival.
Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the Brooklyn Unity Walk and Community Parade on August 2, 2025
Supporting the Principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance
The two-hour-long parade started at noon at the intersection of Empire Blvd. and Flatbush Ave., continued on Flatbush Ave., going through multiple communities before arriving at the festival at Church Ave. and Utica Ave.
The bright Falun Dafa banners, peaceful exercise demonstration, colorful lotus flower team, and energetic waist drums drew many people’s attention, who said they liked the color and music brought by practitioners and the outstanding presentation.
One local resident said he felt the banners brought a very positive message, and he hoped more people could follow practitioners’ efforts to spread peace and kindness. Another resident praised practitioners for their extraordinary performance, adding she strongly supports the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
A spectator said Falun Dafa practitioners’ presence in the parade was excellent and brought grace and serenity. “I like this very much and I believe it is what Brooklyn needs,” she said. “With so many things going on in this world, I think values like Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are absolutely important.”
Local resident Tina Quashie has lived here for forty-four years, and she came with a walker. Impressed by the music, she walked with practitioners along the route. “I cannot believe I walked the entire parade of 38 streets with a walker. This is amazing!” she exclaimed.
Tina Quashie and practitioners from the waist drum team.
Quashie said now she needed to go back home on a bus. Before leaving, she again said she felt fortunate to meet Falun Dafa practitioners and the beautiful costumes, colors, and music. She hopes to join the group exercises because that would help her health. Pointing to the words: “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance” on a banner, she said, “I like these!”
Erik Hunter does the second Falun Dafa exercise.
Erik Hunter, a staff member from Elitelaarners.org said he’s read some books about Chinese medicine and qigong. He’s interested in China’s ancient culture of cultivation and did the Falun Dafa exercises during the event. Afterward, he said he felt very good.
A Better Community
The event also attracted many community leaders. Curtis Sliwa, a Republican candidate running for mayor, said he was glad to see so many Falun Dafa practitioners participating in the event and bringing their colors and melodies. His sister often spoke for groups who are persecuted in China, so he knew about the situation in China. He believes freedom of belief is critical.
Terry Lee, a pastor who organized the event, said the Unity Walk and Community Parade is meant to improve the trust between police, immigrants, and local residents through music and parade. The activities in the past 28 years have helped to build a community of diversity and faith.
Lee said people need to work together, and he was pleased to see Falun Dafa practitioners this year. He believed this was a gift from God. He would also like to have a costume that practitioners wore during the exercise demo because it is so beautiful.
Sharing the Message with Communities
Falun Dafa Tom Tang said he left home at 7:30 that morning to prepare for the event. Some practitioners traveled from upstate New York and had to drive two or three hours. This was the first time some young practitioners attended this kind of activity. “The preparation is not easy, but we really put our hearts into it because we want to present to people what Falun Dafa really is,” Tom explained.
Another practitioner Li pulled a cart full of materials, which she distributed to people while collecting signatures to oppose the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party. “The response is great. A young man not only signed a petition himself, but also asked people around him to sign. I am so happy for him,” she said.
People also stopped at the practitioners’ booth during the festival to learn about Falun Dafa. “Many were interested in learning Falun Dafa, and some signed the petitions calling to end the persecution. I’m glad we are here today,” said Wang, a Falun Dafa practitioner.
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