(Minghui.org) With millions of people across the U.S. celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday, thousands of people watched the Fourth of July Parade in Huntington Beach on July 4—the largest Independence Day Parade on the West Coast. Spectators praised the Tian Guo Marching Band for the beautiful costumes and outstanding performance.
Spectators lined the Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday hours before the parade began. Waving American flags many said they felt blessed and are thankful for America’s freedom.
Kevin An, director of the U.S. Western Tian Guo Marching Band, echoed this sentiment, and said, “America is associated with liberty and [through our performances] we want to pay back this country.”
Adopted on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence marks the birth of the United States of America. It states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Kevin An said this is why Falun Dafa practitioners are glad to celebrate with communities. Living by Falun Dafa’s guiding principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, practitioners enjoy good health and moral improvement.
Local resident Sherry said she is happy to see Falun Dafa practitioners every year. She also noticed words, “God Bless America” on the float, and a banner reading “Thank You America for Our Freedom” this year. She said, “I like the message of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. These are universal values.”
The Tian Guo Marching Band participated in the 122nd annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade. (Minghui.org)
Falun Dafa practitioners’ float with the words “God Bless America” (Minghui.org)
Practitioners carried a banner reading “Thank You America for Our Freedom” in the parade (Minghui.org)
Practitioners demonstrated the exercises (Minghui.org)
Grand Parade
The Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade is the largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi River. With over 500,000 spectators, it started in 1904, and this year’s parade marked the 122nd anniversary of the annual tradition.
Led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, the Falun Dafa practitioners’ group also featured a float decorated in the colors of the U.S. flag, red, white, and blue. The float featured celestial maidens and practitioners demonstrating the Falun Dafa exercises.
The parade started at 10 a.m. Tian Guo Marching Band members, wearing the attire of Tang Dynasty warriors, played melodies, including “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Sacred Song,” and “Triumphant Return.”
Spectator Mark Maxfield said the practitioners’ performances were great. “The music is amazing and the band is well organized. Together with the float and celestial maidens, everything is wonderful,” he said.
Practitioners Thank the U.S.
Kevin An, director of the U.S. Western Tian Guo Marching Band, said the band was organized in 2007. “The band members have diverse backgrounds—some have Ph.D. degrees while others have blue-collar jobs. Their ages range from elementary students to retirees,” he said. They all practice Falun Dafa.
“We benefited from living by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and we would like to share this with the community,” An explained.
When the Tian Guo Marching Band passed the stage, a television host introduced Falun Dafa and explained that it is a peaceful meditation system that promotes the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. And that about 100 million people in over 100 countries have benefited from the practice.
An said many band members had been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) because they practiced Falun Dafa. Because of their experiences, they are grateful to be welcomed in the U.S. “We cherish traditional values, and we are thankful to this country,” he added.
California State Senator Tony Strickland, who represents the 36th District, praised Falun Dafa practitioners for their efforts in safeguarding their faith. He said he believes that freedom of belief is a fundamental right that everyone is entitled to, and it cannot be infringed upon.
“And freedom of religion, freedom of faith and First Amendment, and the Constitution. People here love America, and that’s what’s great about this country,” Senator Strickland remarked.
“We’re proud to be American, and we believe in our freedoms and liberties. And we push back on all those who try to force us into a different way of living because we love living in the United States of America,” he explained. “Happy Birthday America, 250!”
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