(Minghui.org) As the holidays approach, Falun Gong groups around the world are participating in community events to celebrate the season of good tidings, as well as offering a unique look at traditional Chinese culture and Falun Gong's principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
This report features Falun Dafa groups' participation in Christmas parades in Vancouver, Canada, Los Gatos, California, and South Australia.
Warm Welcome in Vancouver
Around 300,000 spectators came out for the Christmas parade in downtown Vancouver, Canada on December 4, 2016.
The Falun Gong entry featured its Tian Guo Marching Band, float, Falun Gong exercise demonstration, dance team, and waist drum team.
The Tian Guo Marching Band participated in the Christmas parade in Vancouver, Canada on December 4, 2016.
Falun Gong float. A practitioner demonstrates the exercises.
Waist drum team performs in the parade.
Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises in the parade.
Many Chinese people were among the spectators, and many cheered for the Falun Gong procession and took photos.
A spectator named Danielle applauded the Tian Guo Marching Band. “They were very professional and I thought their costumes were unique,” she said. She added that the Falun Gong procession was both peaceful and spirited.
Participation in Children's Christmas Parade in California
The Children's Christmas/Holidays Parade, held in Los Gatos, California on December 3, 2016, drew a crowd of 15,000 people for its 60th anniversary.
The Falun Gong group's Tian Guo Marching Band was a welcome attraction in the parade.
The Tian Guo Marching Band participated in the Children's Christmas Parade in Los Gatos, California on December 3, 2016.
Danny Scroggins of the hosting organization holds a Falun Gong flyer.
Danny Scroggins, a member of the hosting organization, said it was a multicultural event, and was pleased to have the Falun Gong group participate. He said, “Their performance is wonderful. The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are beautiful.”
Rosena Levia, a resident of San Jose, supports Falun Dafa.
Rosena Levia, a resident of San Jose, gave warm applause to the band's performance in the parade. She said, “The Tian Guo Marching Band is amazing. Our world needs more groups like Falun Gong.”
She said that she has read about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and is a supporter to end the abuse.
Valenina and Paul Vischer said the persecution must be stopped.
Valenina and Paul Vischer are San Jose residents. Paul said of the Tian Guo Marching Band, “They are unique with strong energy.”
The couple, who are Christians, said that the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong cannot be accepted. They pointed out that no one should be persecuted for their beliefs and the persecution must be stopped.
Christmas Parades in South Australia
Falun Gong practitioners in Adelaide, Australia participated in Christmas parades in Adelaide Port and Norwood City on November 19 and November 26, respectively.
Falun Gong practitioners participate in the Christmas parade in South Australia.
Falun Gong float with practitioners demonstrating the exercises.
Mr. Song, who works at a TV station in China, watched the parade with his family. He had recently come to Adelaide for a visit. He commended the Falun Gong procession for introducing Chinese cultivation culture to the West via its float and exercise demonstration. He said, “Very good! Very meaningful!”
While in China, he had accessed factual information about Falun Gong by using software to bypass the Internet censorship. He talked with a Falun Gong practitioner at the parade about taking the opportunity while outside China to withdraw his membership from the Communist Party to take a stance against the brutal persecution.
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