United States: Grand March and Rally Held in Flushing to Protest the Persecution

On June 14, the Eastern US Falun Dafa Association and Global Tuidang (Quitting the Chinese Communist Party - CCP) Service Centre jointly organised a grand march and rally to protest the Communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong and support the Chinese people who have bravely withdrawn their membership from the CCP and its affiliated organisations. About 2000 Falun Gong practitioners participated in the rally to demonstrate the spread of the practice in more than 80 countries, the peaceful journey of Falun Gong in resisting the CCP's brutal persecution, and the quitting the CCP movement around the world inspired by the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party.

Starting at Main and 41st Streets, the march proceeded through Main Street and Franklin Ave, and ended at the Flushing Public Library on Kissena Blvd. The march consisted of 6 groups with different themes, including the Divine Land Marching Band, Introduction of Falun Dafa, Resisting the Persecution, Spread of Falun Dafa around the World, the Nine Commentaries and Quitting the CCP. Despite the hot weather, many passers-by stopped to watch.

Upon seeing the grand march and witnessing the compassion and serenity of the practitioners, despite occasional interference from a handful of pro-communists, many passers-by were touched and expressed positive reactions. A young lady who watched the parade for a long time said: "This is my first time to meet Falun Gong, and this grand parade is very touching. All I heard in China was propaganda against the practice. Today, I am very happy to see how they are. The compassion displayed by the parade is very touching."

When seeing a practitioner distributing fliers in the baking sun, a Chinese immigrant was very touched and bought her a drink. Later, he told the reporter that he knew the practice is good and the persecution is wrong. He said: "I am not a practitioner, however, I know Falun Gong. I know Falun Gong is good and the CCP should not persecute this group." A man who just came from Mainland China said, "I see the compassion of the practitioners, and I am very touched."