Washington DC: Falun Dafa Practitioners Welcomed at US Independence Day Parade

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were again invited to participate in the Independence Day parade in Washington D.C. on July 4, 2022. According to many tourists who encountered Falun Dafa for the first time, the practitioners' entry was majestic, energetic, and invigorating.

Falun Dafa practitioners participate in the Independence Day parade in Washington D.C. on July 4, 2022.

Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises.

Invited by the organizers, practitioners carried along a giant eagle balloon during the parade.

This year is the 15^th year the Tian Guo Marching Band was invited to participate in America’s Independence Day parade. It was also the only military-style band comprised of ethnic Chinese to attend the parade. Practitioners were also invited by the organizers to carry a giant eagle balloon. The float, designed and constructed by practitioners, was one-of-a-kind, with the messages “Falun Dafa is great,” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” adorning both sides of the car. The float was decorated with white clouds and fairy maidens, while a practitioner sat inside a lotus flower meditating. Several young practitioners on the float demonstrated the exercise movements.

The parade started at the corner of Constitution Ave. NW and 7^th St. NW at 11:45 a.m. Spectators on both sides of the road applauded when the Falun Dafa group made its appearance on Constitution Ave. Many took video recordings with their mobile phones to share with friends and family. Practitioners who took part in the parade said they were thrilled to showcase the beauty of Dafa and practitioners’ tranquil demeanor.

Jake Johnston, a lawyer from Mississippi, said he loved the practitioners’ entry.

Jake Johnston, a lawyer from Mississippi, said that this was the first time he’d met Falun Dafa practitioners. He said, “America is a cultural melting pot. I am delighted to see Falun Dafa representing traditional Chinese culture in the parade. I love it – they are very cool.”

Jennie Mcguire (in center wearing a red t-shirt) from Arizona and her husband brought their three children to see the parade.

Jennie Mcguire is a teacher from Arizona. She said she’s always wanted to come to Washington D.C. to celebrate Independence Day. Her wish finally came true this year, and she and her husband brought their three children to see the parade. Jennie said the Tian Guo Marching Band was one of her favorite bands among all the groups. “Their performance is amazing, I love the songs they played, it was fascinating. I loved the bright colors on the float – it was lovely.”

Ms. Jackie, principal of a school in Texas, and her entire family came to the capital to celebrate Independence Day.

Ms. Jackie is the principal of a school in Texas. She and her whole family came to Washington D.C. to celebrate Independence Day. It was the first time she’d heard of Falun Dafa. She said, “I can tell that they (practitioners) are proud of their faith. It is their conviction that brought them together. Their group is huge! There are three rows of each instrument in the band, it was amazing!”

Yvette, a veteran U.S. military officer, and her friend came from Florida to watch the parade in Washington D.C.

Yvette, a veteran US military officer and her friend came from Florida to Washington D.C. to see the parade. She said that it was the first time they saw Falun Dafa practitioners in a parade. Yvette said, “Beautiful! It was great to see different cultures in the parade. I have long heard of Falun Dafa practitioners being persecuted for their belief. We are sad to hear that. It is hard for us to feel their suffering living in this country. I hope to be able to help them.”

Stephen Krisman, an internal medicine doctor from North Carolina, said that it was uplifting to see practitioners in the parade.

Stephen Krisman, an internal medicine doctor from North Carolina, attended the Independence Day parade in Washington D.C. for the first time. Holding up a small American flag, he said, “America is the only country in human history built on faith and freedom, and Americans regard these as their highest ideals. July 4th celebrates the nation’s remarkable ideology.”

Dr. Krisman added, “It’s uplifting to see Falun Dafa practitioners in the parade. Yet they are persecuted by the Chinese Communist regime for their belief in Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. This makes one sad.”

Henry, who lives in the greater Washington D.C. area, watched the parade.

Henry, who lives in the greater Washington D.C. area, said he’s heard about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China. He cheered for practitioners as he watched the parade and said, “Their performance was great! It’s wonderful to be able to share one’s faith with others in America. I loved the music performed by the band. The group is huge, they are very organized.”

He added, “I think they should not be suppressed in China. It is obvious they have no freedom of belief in China.”

Henry is glad that practitioners can practice cultivation freely in the U.S. “They share the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance with everyone; this is helpful to American society.”

Background: What Is Falun Dafa?

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings—which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—and learned the five exercises have experienced improved health and well-being.

Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline's growing popularity as a threat to the CCP's atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, issued an order to ban the practice. Under Jiang's personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.

Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 22 years, though due to the difficulty of getting information out of China, the actual number is believed to be much higher. Many more have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.

There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply the organ transplant industry.