United States: Falun Gong Contingent Impressive at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Francisco

On March 15th, 2008, San Francisco Bay Area Falun Gong practitioners participated in the annual St Patrick's Day parade. The Falun Gong contingent composed of the Divine Land Marching Band, Falun Gong Exercise Demonstration Group, and young practitioners from Minghui School, stood out in the parade procession. Commander-in-chief of the parade Jack Keating said that the Falun Gong contingent was the most impressive group in the parade.

Western US Divine Land Marching Band stands out

Falun Gong practitioners' contingent is warmly received

Young practitioners from Minghui School perform martial arts

This year's parade was the 156th annual St. Patrick's Day parade in San Francisco. Over a hundred groups in the procession marched along Market Avenue. The Falun Gong Western US Divine Land Marching Band was very eye-catching, and their music very impressive.

At 8:00 a.m. the procession set off. Ms. Nie, who is a teacher at a Chinese school, participated in the St. Patrick's Day parade in San Francisco. Besides teaching, she also plays the clarinet. She said there are many military bands in the US, but not many bands composed primarily of Chinese people. The Falun Gong Divine Land Marching Band is quite unique.

Ms. Nie said that Falun Gong is being persecuted in China, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) slanders Falun Gong in China and around the world. Falun Gong is a cultivation practice, and also a part of the traditional Chinese culture. By participating in this event, the practitioners want to let people see the truth about the practitioners, who are peaceful and upright. Seeing is believing. When people see the truth, the CCP's lies will naturally evaporate.

Commander-in-chief of the parade Mr. Jack Keating said that they had always encountered rainy days for previous St. Patrick's Day parades, but today, the weather was exceptionally fine.

Talking about the Falun Gong Divine Land Marching Band's performance, Mr. Keating said, "The Divine Land Marching Band offered a great performance. You know they are well trained at the first sight of them. The Falun Gong contingent was the best group in the procession today."

Mr. Keating said that he had learned about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, and it is pitiful. People everywhere in the world should have human rights. But in China, people are still subjected to that kind of treatment. It is horrible.

While appreciating the Divine Land Marching Band's performance, San Francisco resident George kept nodding his head. When asked why he kept nodding, he said that he found the band's performance magnificent. After learning about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, George said that the CCP is really hateful. He had been to China before, but he did not like the Communist Party at all. Everyone there is subject to persecution.