United States: San Francisco Falun Dafa Practitioners Participate in St. Patrick's Day Parade

On March 14th, San Francisco Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to the 158th St. Patrick's Day Parade, a tradition carried on by Irish immigrants and their descendants. Green is, of course, the dominant colour, and Irish bands, pipers, and dances are featured. The practitioners' Divine Land Marching Band, exercise demonstration group, and Minghui School students were sincerely welcomed in the parade.

Divine Land Marching Band

Divine Land Marching Band

Practitioners' exercise demonstration

Members of the Divine Land Marching Band wore blue traditional Chinese costumes while members of the Falun Gong exercise demonstration group were in yellow exercise suits. The spectators applauded their performance and demonstrations.

Lupe Montana, an Irish immigrant, said he was impressed by the Divine Land Marching Band. He said that the band was "the best" and that the members of the band were all well-trained. "This is a very unique band with both male and female and young and elderly members. They all played with their hearts."

Mr. Montana's work place is very close to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, so he has seen Falun Gong practitioners peacefully protesting outside the consulate many times. He wished the practitioners success. "The persecution happening in China is horrific and it is completely unnecessary. The practitioners deserve a victory."

Morean O'Neal applauded when he saw the Divine Land Marching Band approaching. He said, "We like their performance. They are good people and are doing good deeds. I know that Falun Gong is being persecuted in China and I think that the persecution is wrong."

The band's performance impressed the spectators. After the parade, when they saw members of the band, people often gave the thumbs up sign and said, "Your performance was great. I like your band."

Parade organiser Renie Champagne said that the Falun Dafa group was great and their performance was excellent.

"We are so pleased to have Falun Dafa in this parade."