United States: Falun Gong Practitioners Again Show Elegant Demeanour at Columbus Day Parade in San Francisco

On October 7th, 2007, Falun Gong practitioners took part in the annual Columbus Day Parade in San Francisco. This is the fifth time that practitioners were invited to participate in the parade. The parade had over 100 groups and the Divine Land Marching Band was warmly welcomed. Don Caspar, a parade committee member, said that the participation of Falun Gong practitioners brought fresh splendor to the whole parade.

Don Caspar, of the parade committee, said that the participation of Falun Gong practitioners brought fresh splendor to the whole parade

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises

Divine Land Marching Band

The annual Columbus Day Parade attracts around 400,000 spectators each year. Community groups of every culture, the Mayor, councilors, all sorts of beauty contestants, and celebrities won't miss the opportunity to see and be seen amidst the crowds in the still warm early autumn sun.

Even though Falun Gong has been persecuted and slandered in China for eight years, many Chinese countrymen attending the Columbus Day Parade couldn't help but take many photos of the spectacular energy the Falun Gong participants displayed - a scene temporarily impossible to see in mainland China.

The Western US Divine Land Marching Band took the lead of the Falun Gong contingent, performing "Falun Dafa is Good", "Delivering Precious Gifts" and other music. Their near-perfect and orderly formation and their clear and strong performance was a standout in the parade. Wherever they arrived, people applauded and waved; some danced along to the bright rhythm and some kept busy filming or taking photos.

Parade committee member Don Casper said," Falun Gong practitioners' participation brings fresh splendor to the whole parade." He also said, "When Falun Gong practitioners participated in the Columbus parade five years ago, there were far fewer participants. Now their performance is very professional."

When the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China was brought up, Casper said, "Freedom of belief is a universal human right, it is wrong for any country to suppress freedom of belief".

Another parade committee member, Steve, said that he is very happy to see Falun Gong practitioners in every year's Columbus parade. He said every group in the parade represents different cultures and beliefs. He supports freedom of belief, and felt sad about the persecution in China.

Bay area resident Jessica was happy to see Falun Gong practitioners in the parade. She felt the Falun Gong entry was extremely beautiful. After she learned about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, she said the persecution is absolutely wrong, they should not let it happen, China should allow freedom of belief.