United States: Falun Gong Practitioners Participate in the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Parade for the Sixth Time

In March and April each year, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, a grand annual Cherry Blossom Parade is held in Washington DC. This parade is one of the most widely attended parades in the Capital of the United States.

Falun Gong practitioners' procession	Exercise demonstration

Ribbon dance

Warmly received dragon dance	Procession of young practitioners from Minghui School

In the morning on April 3, more than 100 Falun Gong practitioners from Washington DC and nearby areas participated in the Cherry Blossom Parade on Constitution Avenue for the sixth time.

In front of the parade, practitioners held banners that read in English and Chinese, "Falun Dafa" and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." Two lions followed them jumping and dancing, accompanied by the joyful sound of gongs and drums.

After the lions, more than a dozen female practitioners dressed in bright costumes and gracefully performed the ribbon dance that symbolized heavenly girls bringing happiness to people. Next was a huge float on which about 20 female practitioners dressed in Tang Dynasty costumes, performing the elegant dance, "Magnificent Splendour of the Tang Dynasty."

Several dozen practitioners dressed in golden-colour exercise uniforms followed the float. They displayed the slow, smooth and peaceful Falun Gong exercises to the spectators. After them, 18 practitioners performed the dragon dance. A number of Korean practitioners dressed in their colourful ethnic costumes followed. A flag team was at the end. They held vertical banners that read, "Falun Dafa" and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance."

Practitioners' procession looked beautiful and harmonious. They not only demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, but also introduced traditional Chinese culture to the spectators. They won rounds upon rounds of applauses from the spectators. Many people also took the chance to learn more about Falun Gong. During the rehearsal prior to the parade, many people came to take pictures with our "heavenly girls" and the dragon.

Apart from participating in the parade, over the past few years, each time, there are 20 to 30 practitioners voluntarily helping sponsors to maintain traffic order. They are highly welcomed and praised by the sponsors.

About 30 to 40 young practitioners from the DC Minghui School also formed an individual procession to participate in the parade.