United States: Korean Day Celebration, Divine Land Marching Band Touches the Audience in San Francisco

On August 18th, 2007, Korean Day celebration activities were held in downtown San Francisco. The San Francisco American-Korean Community hosted it. Dance troupes came from Korea and Korean communities in the Bay Area showcased traditional Korean culture. Falun Gong practitioners in the Bay Area were invited to participate in the parade and celebration activity and were warmly received by the sponsor and the audience.

Western US Divine Land Marching Band participates in Korean Day celebration for the first time

Falun Gong exercise demonstration group

Western US Divine Land Marching Band participates in Korean Day celebration for the first time

A Korean Falun Gong practitioner clarifies the facts to a tourist

The celebration activities started with a parade, setting off from City Hall. During the parade, the Western US Divine Land Marching Band made its first appearance in the Korean Day Parade. The marching band performed "Falun Dafa is Good," "Fa Drums and Trumpets Shake the Ten Dimensions," "Deliver the Precious Gifts" and other pieces. Along the route, spectators on both sides of the roads continuously applauded and acclaimed the marching band's performance. Some Korean spectators followed the beats of the music performed by the band and waved their Korean and American flags.

Mr. Zhu from China had a misunderstanding of Falun Gong due to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) slanderous propaganda. Today he was deeply touched by the performance of the Divine Land Marching Band. He could not help but telling Falun Gong practitioners, "Your Divine Land Marching Band is great! Marvelous!"

Janice, who came from Boston for sightseeing in San Francisco, liked the music performed by the Divine Land Marching Band very much. She had a photo taken with the Divine Land Marching Band as a background. She said, "Their performance is very professional. Terrific. I'm proud of them."

Perry, a resident of San Francisco, said that he had learned that Falun Gong practitioners have been subjected to persecution in China for remaining steadfast in their principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Their organs were harvested to sell for profit in China. He said the CCP is wrong by doing so.

Forty groups participated in the parade. When the procession reached Union Square in downtown, they presented a performance at the square. The Divine Land Marching Band was the first to give a performance on the stage. The band performed the music "Falun Dafa Is Good" for the audience. Majestic and vigorous music gained thunderous applauses from the audience. After that there were rich and versatile Korean traditional dance performances and musical programmes.

According to Falun Gong practitioner Rose from San Francisco, the sponsor was very supportive of Falun Gong. Practitioners set up booths during the Korean Day celebration every year to introduce the Falun Dafa's goodness to people. They also exposed the CCP's crimes committed in persecuting Falun Gong. The practitioners often introduced Falun Gong to the Korean community. Today, some people bought Korean versions of the book, Zhuan Falun.

A flute player in the Divine Land Marching Band said that her participation in the Korean Day Parade was to bring the best thing to the audience. She said Falun Dafa has been spread around the world widely, not only in the East but also in the West. Many members in the Divine Land Marching Band are Westerners, and there are also Korean practitioners.

August 15th was Korean Independence Day to commemorate the independence of Korea in 1945. The celebration this year was the 15 annual for the Bay Area.

The Deputy Chancellor of the Korean-American Community Centre said that the Korean tradition is similar to other Asian countries. It is family centred and values filial piety. The Deputy Chancellor welcomed Falun Gong practitioners for their participation.