United Kingdom: Practitioners Again Invited to London New Year’s Day Parade

On January 1st 2007, UK Falun Gong Practitioners were again invited to take part in London’s New Year’s Day Parade. This year, for a change, the weather was gloriously sunny and as a result, the streets from Whitehall to Mayfair were thronged with onlookers from all over the world.

The Falun Gong procession consisted of traditional Chinese Fan dancers and Flag dancers, a troupe of waist-drummers, several large banners and a float. This year, the float was decorated in the style of a Heavenly Paradise, with a solemn standing Buddha flanked by heavenly beauties playing musical instruments. At the back of the float, two practitioners demonstrated the five sets of Falun Gong exercises.

As usual, the reaction of the crowd was warm. Children and their parents clamoured for the paper lotus flowers distributed by practitioners. Many people got to learn about Falun Gong and witnessed the beauty of the practice through this parade.