(Clearwisdom.net) Florida Falun Gong practitioners were invited by the City of Naples to participate in the annual July 4^th parade. This is the third year that Falun Gong has taken part in the parade. While maintaining a small-town feel, the parade generally includes over a hundred participating groups and is usually attended by at least a few thousand celebrants.

The balmy breezes and tropical clouds kept the temperature a little bit cooler than is typical for July 4^th in South Florida. This year, those clad in red, white, and blue included the very young up to the very young in spirit. Many of the parade attendees have become familiar with Falun Gong and recalled our participation in previous years.

One of the banners carried by practitioners reflected the theme of this year's July 4^th parade - Celebration of Freedom of Belief. Another banner indicated that Falun Gong continues to be brutally persecuted by the communist regime in China.