(Clearwisdom.net) On September 13, 2008, the 48^th annual Green Tree Festival celebration was held in Kirkwood, Missouri. Falun Gong practitioners participated in the Green Tree parade as they did in previous years, and were warmly received by festival-goers.

Falun Gong practitioners participate in the 48^th Green Tree Parade held in Kirkwood, Missouri

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises on the float

When practitioners decorated the float, one of the parade organizers, Marilyn, had a conversation with them. She said that she had learned about the persecution of Falun Gong; and that the Chinese Communist regime was using the Olympics as an excuse to intensify the persecution. She said that China is short of basic human rights, and the Olympics has not brought any good changes to the Chinese people. People do not have the freedom of expression in China.

A walked up to the practitioners and said emotionally, "I know you (Falun Gong). Not long ago in China, I personally saw the police chase and arrest Falun Gong practitioners. I wanted to stop the police, but I did not have enough courage to do so." A practitioner told him that Falun Gong is a peaceful practice, and cultivates Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He said he knows that Falun Gong practitioners are good people. He said he would read the truth-clarification materials after he got back home.

The Falun Gong float was met with applause and cheers along the parade route. Festival-goers on both sides of the road smiled and watched the float pass by. More and more people have come to learn about Falun Gong, and understand the brutal insanity of the persecution.